By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter

Motorists have expressed concern over growing congestion outside fuel stations across Doha.

Long queues of vehicles waiting to enter fuel stations have become a common sight at many places. This, in turn, leads to delays for commuters and also causes snarls on major roads, especially during peak hours.

This is happening as there are not enough fuel stations in Doha to meet the growing demand, say commuters. Some also feel that many fuel stations do not have adequate number of attendants, which slows down the process.

“Traffic has been the main topic almost every day in our office because all of us have to struggle (on the road) every morning despite leaving the house early,” an Asian expatriate told Gulf Times, stressing that congestion has become common outside fuel stations, too.

He recounted being asked by the traffic police, together with other motorists, to leave a long queue outside one such fuel station in Doha. He said he had to drive a long way to the next station and almost ran out of fuel.

“The situation was the same at the next station and I had to wait for another 15-20 minutes or more, hoping that no police vehicle would pass by the area,” he added. Had it not been for the long delays at fuel stations, the commuter said he could have saved a lot of time and used it to do other work.

Another motorist had a similar experience, who said the long queues on service and major roads could also cause accidents.

He said he was almost hit by a speeding SUV from behind while stuck on a road while waiting to enter a fuel station.

To avoid such situations, he now refuels around 7am or earlier after dropping his wife at her office. He finds Friday morning the best time to refuel as there are no queues outside fuel stations during those hours. Sometimes he also refuels late at night, around 11pm.

The motorist observed that the number of vehicles at fuel stations has increased significantly in the morning hours on weekdays. “Before, there would be one or two cars in each line, sometimes none. But now, the average number of vehicles in each line is four to five,” he added.

Asked about solutions to the problem, he suggested increasing the number of staff manning the petrol pumps. “This will speed up refuelling and the waiting time will be reduced considerably,” he noted.

Some residents observed that the increase in the number of vehicles after the holidays aggravates the problem. As a solution, they reiterated the need for more fuel stations in the city.