Motorists in Qatar have been witnessing closure of several gas stations in the past few weeks and are calling for more petrol stations to be opened before closing down privately-run petrol stations to avoid the long queues at the existing gas stations.

Gulf Times reported that Doha is facing a shortage of petrol stations, on account of continuing closures of private stations, causing inconvenience to motorists.

Several motorists have suggested that introducing mobile petrol stations can bring relief to the situation.

"There are many closed petrol stations inside the city. If mobile petrol stations are brought to these locations, the situation could be improved drastically. Nowadays, the wait at the petrol stations, is a painfully time-consuming affair, especially at the peak hours," lamented a motorist.

Though Woqod opened a new station on the B Ring Road some months ago, more such facilities are needed at many other locations inside Doha to alleviate the hardships of motorists, it is felt.

The privately-run fuel facility that closed most recently in Doha was the Doha Petrol Centre on the Najma side of the C Ring Road. "Now, there is no petrol station on the nearly 4.5km stretch between Toyota signals and the Hamad General Hospital," a motorist said.

Though at least six petrol stations closed in Fariq Abdul Azeez, Al Hilal, Najma, Al Mansoura, Old Salata, New Salata and Muntaza in the last few years, new stations have come up only in Al Hilal and Al Mansoura.

Residents feel it is unwise to close so many privately-run petrol stations before opening adequate number of new outlets.

Owing to the closure of the petrol stations in other areas, there is a significant rise in the queues at the lone station on the E-Ring Road between the Mall and Al Thumama signals.

On the D Ring Road, on the stretch from the Old Doha International Airport towards the Shamal Expressway, there is not even a single petrol station on either side for at least 10km. "The first petrol stations on this road are only after Lulu Gharrafa," a motorist pointed out.