FROM PAGE 1

operational depots, with allocations based on demand and aligned with the average daily year‑on‑year sales.

But supplies appear inadequate at most pumps, with long queues forming daily and many customers being denied fuel even after waiting for hours.

Though the government has withdrawn the temporary rationing system introduced earlier this month, most filling stations in Dhaka and other districts have been limiting fuel sales to serve more consumers.

Take Rajarbag Service Station near the Malibagh intersection and Ramna Petrol Pump near Matsya Bhaban, which have been capping fuel sales at Tk 200–500 for motorcycles and Tk 1,500–2,000 for cars.

Mohammad Nazmul Haque, owner of Ramna Petrol Pump, noted that many customers queued several times a day and hoped the government would take effective action against hoarding amid the global crisis.

Also president of the Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners’ Association, Nazmul said they have proposed reintroducing rationing. However, they believe limiting sales to two litres for bikes and 10 litres for cars, as in the past, would not work and instead suggested a rationing system using cards issued by local police stations.

While acknowledging the need to curb hoarding, BPC Chairman Rezanur said the government is not returning to a rationing system and explained that a digitised system will ensure transparency in fuel distribution rather than restricting access. “It will be a digital system designed to ensure fair distribution so everyone gets sufficient fuel and hoarding is prevented.”

Responding to concerns about accommodating farmers for whom fuel is essential for irrigation, the BPC chairman said the system is being designed with flexibility at the local level.

“We know farmers operate at the upazila level… with certification from local authorities, they will be able to purchase fuel.”

The BPC chairman said the proposal is still under review, and no final decision has been taken yet. “Work is already underway… but we still need a little more time.”

Meanwhile, the authorities reassured yesterday that the overall fuel stocks are adequate and the irregular distribution and panic-driven buying have disrupted supply at the retail level in recent days.

DRIVES AGAINST HOARDING

The government has strengthened the ongoing countrywide drives against fuel hoarding, deployed Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel at key depots, and introduced tighter monitoring at petrol pumps.

A decision has been made to appoint “tag officers” at filling stations nationwide to strengthen oversight. In the Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas, BPC officials will take charge, while in districts, tag officers will be assigned by deputy commissioners and UNOs.

These officials will monitor fuel management and submit daily reports to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.

Moreover, the BPC has revised fuel distribution hours at depots, bringing them forward by two hours. Dealers will now collect fuel from 7:00am to 3:00pm instead of the previous 9:00am to 5:00pm schedule.

The move is intended to allow filling stations receive fuel earlier.

QUEUES NATIONWIDE

This newspaper yesterday visited around 12 filling stations in the capital’s Mohakhali, Malibagh, Ramna and Paribag and found most of them were limiting fuel sales. All of them had long queues of motorcycles and cars.

Meanwhile, a government monitoring team visited seven filling stations between Asad Gate and Gabtoli yesterday and found repeat customers, especially motorcyclists, driving up octane demand by up to threefold, according to a ministry statement.

The fuel shortage has also gripped multiple districts across the country, including Bandarban, Moulvibazar, Shariatpur, and Narsingdi.

In Bandarban, though the petrol and octane supply were limited to between Tk 200 and Tk 500 for motorcycles at Uzma Oil Filling Station, octane supplies have run out completely. Diesel was also seen to be rationed at several pumps.

In Moulvibazar, filling stations remained largely inactive due to depleted stocks of petrol and octane. Staff reported long periods of idleness, while motorists struggled to find fuel. Diesel is being sold in limited quantities, leaving many vehicles parked.

In Shariatpur, all pumps have largely been closed for two consecutive days, with only half operating on a limited scale. Diesel shortages have particularly impacted fishermen along the Padma River, who now receive only 30–40 percent of their daily fuel requirement, forcing many to remain idle.

In Narsingdi, the crisis mirrors that seen elsewhere. Fuel allocations remain far below daily demand, with petrol supplied only once every three to four days and diesel distributed in limited amounts.

[Our correspondents from Bandarban, Moulvibazar, Shariatpur, and Narsingdi contributed to this report.]