Dhaka, March 24 -- Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday said the normal fuel supply system has been disrupted due to an unexpected surge in consumer demand.

The situation arose as fuel sales at petrol pumps are being exhausted much faster than usual, he told reporters at Secretariat.

"Earlier, tank lorries would be filled in the morning and even after selling fuel throughout the day, there would be some surplus. But now, due to long queues, the fuel runs out quickly," he said.

Responding to a question about why people are not getting fuel despite there being no shortage, as he had claimed earlier, the minister explained that supply delays in the early hours were contributing to the problem.

"It ta...