Morshed Alam, 28, calculates survival in litres and taka now. The ride-sharing motorcycle driver in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, used to refuel two to three times daily, purchasing just enough fuel to keep working because his pockets never held much cash.
On a morning in March, however, he did something different at a fuel station. He scraped together every spare taka he could find and filled his tank completely for a total of BDT 1,060 ($8.83) that represented nearly a full day’s earnings before expenses.
“My livelihood depends entirely on this motorcycle,” Alam explained while waiting in line. “If fuel becomes unavailable and my bike sits idle, how will my family survive?”
His need to keep working is all-consuming. But millions across Bangladesh with the same needs are now making similar decisions to his as the South Asian country faces a gas shortage, which can only worsen as the conflict in Iran drags on.
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Originally published at Asia Democracy Chronicles on April 5, 2026.
