Fuel pumps run dry across districts

Petrol pumps in a number of districts across Bangladesh are struggling to keep up with the spike in fuel demand amid limited from depots.

While pumps in some districts have had to shut down, others have introduced rationing through the long stretch of Eid holidays which has also led to a more limited supply of petrol and octane.

Despite repeated reassurances that the depots have enough stocks and that fuel supply will resume as before after the holidays, there has been no let-up in fuel demand and consequent frustration of commuters.

In Rajshahi, a number of pumps in various parts of the city, including Saheb Bazar, Sagarpara, Shiroil, Court area and Talaimari, had ropes around the stations indicating they were sold out.

Sakhawat Hossain, a motorcyclist from Paba, said he had been going from one pump to another for petrol. “My tank ran empty of as I was going from one place to another looking for fuel. Now I cannot even return home. All the pumps are out of stock,” he said.

Anisur Rahman Shimul, general secretary of the Rajshahi District Petrol Pump Owners Association, said fuel stocks at the pumps were exhausted on Sunday.

“As a result, no pump has petrol or octane from today. Motorcyclists are crowding the pumps,” he said.

Mominul Haque, owner of Lata Filling Station and president of the Rajshahi District Petrol Pump Owners Association, said his pump had run out all types of fuel.

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“However, we have seen a spike in bikers over the last few days, which we had not seen before. We noticed some bikers visiting different pumps repeatedly to collect fuel,” he said.

In Tangail, authorities have imposed rationing in supplies amid rising demand of fuel.

Enamul Haque, son of Badsha Mia, owner of the prominent Abdur Rahman Petrol Pumps and also the president of the district Petrol Pump Owners’ Association, said petrol and octane at his pump ran out around 12:00pm today. His father is currently ill.

He said only diesel is being supplied now. While government vehicles are being served as per demand, diesel is being rationed for general transport at 10 litres and for agricultural irrigation at 5 litres. “We will supply as long as stock lasts,” he said.

He said there are 54 petrol pumps in the district and all are facing similar conditions.

Sarowar Hossain, a farmer from Hugra in Sadar upazila, said he came to collect 40 litres of diesel to run his irrigation pump but was given only 5 litres. “How can I manage with such a small amount?” he said.

In Munshiganj, while some filling stations still have diesel, others are running out of octane as well as diesel. However, a few stations are still managing to supply limited quantities of both fuels.

A visit to Purnima Filling Station in Muktarpur under Sadar upazila revealed a notice reading “No Octane” on the display. During an hour-long observation, it was seen that motorcycles and other vehicles were arriving at the station but leaving after failing to get octane.

Station manager Pizus Saha said their average daily demand is around 4,500 litres, but they are receiving only about 1,500 litres.

In Narayanganj, a sudden shortage of petrol and octane has brought significant disruption to daily life, with most filling stations across the city out of fuel.

Visits to several areas showed “No Petrol” and “No Octane” signs hanging at a majority of pumps.

In a few stations where limited supplies were available, long queues of vehicles were seen waiting, often for hours, to refuel, customers said.

“I went to three different pumps this morning but could not find any petrol. Eventually, I had to return home without going to my destination,” said a motorcycle rider, expressing frustration.

In the three northern districts—Thakurgaon, Panchagarh Dinajpur—fuel supply remains significantly below their usual requirements.

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Of 146 filling stations across the three districts—35 in Thakurgaon, 19 in Panchagarh, and 92 in Dinajpur—sources said only four (three in Rangpur and one in Thakurgaon) were supplying fuel in limited quantities on Monday evening.

Ruposhi Bangla Filling Station in Thakurgaon is providing fuel only for emergency services, including ambulances and government vehicles, upon submission of slips issued by the nezarat deputy collector’s (NDC) office.

The situation is similar in Panchagarh, where hundreds of motorbikes gather as soon as fuel becomes available at a pump, local sources said.

In Jamalpur, a prolonged petrol shortage has disrupted vehicular movement.

During visits to Jhinei and Nurjahan filling stations in Sarishabari and Tarakandi areas on Monday morning, “No fuel available” signs were seen at the entrances.

Shahinur Islam, a resident of Kazipur, said he searched for petrol for over a week and earlier bought a litre at an inflated Tk 500. Even that is not available anymore.

Nurjahan Filling Station Manager Sumon Miah said a fresh supply is expected within a couple of days.

In Gopalganj, pump authorities allege that the crisis has been caused by inadequate supply from the depots.

A visit to at least three pumps in the town revealed that not a single one had all types of fuel available.

Mohammad Rahat Biswas, a fuel tanker driver, told The Daily Star, “We have not been getting fuel from the depot for a week. The depot offices remain locked, and no one answers the phone.”

In Sylhet, motorcyclists have reported an acute shortage of octane at several fuel stations, with many forced to return without refuelling during and after Eid.

Farhad Hasan, a motorcyclist at Uttara Petrol Petroleum in Chowkidekhi area, said, “I went to several pumps today, but there is no octane anywhere. I also visited different pumps last night, to no avail. However, they are selling diesel and petrol.”

Maruf Ahmed Chowdhury, general manager of Uttara Petroleum, said, “We last received octane on March 18, which lasted until the day before Eid. Since Eid day, we have not been able to supply octane at all.”

“Diesel supply has also been low -- only about a quarter of what we usually receive. However, we got another 9,000 litres yesterday, which is currently being sold. Petrol is available in limited quantity,” he said.

In Bogura, filling stations have started rationing fuel on their own initiative, while several pumps in Gaibandha have been forced to shut down.

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During a visit to three filling stations in Bogura this afternoon, it was observed that cars were not being given according to their demand.

Around 5:00pm, at the Bogura Filling Station in Shajahanpur’s Shakpala intersection, motorcyclists were being limited to a maximum of Tk 300 worth of petrol or Tk 200 worth of octane. Private cars were capped at Tk 1,000 -1500 worth of fuel.

Aminul Islam, a private car driver, told The Daily Star, "My car runs on octane. I need Tk 2,000 worth of fuel to reach Dhaka, but they are only giving me Tk 1,000. Where will I find fuel midway through my journey?"

In Gaibandha, the crisis is more severe. At least 17 petrol pumps were shut down earlier on Monday.

Moshiur Rahman Ujjal, general secretary of the district filling station owners’ association, said, “Many pumps closed because they had no stock. Some received fuel today, but it is negligible compared to the demand."

Mizanur Rahman Ratan, president of the Rajshahi Division Petrol Pump Owners' Association, told The Daily Star, “Pumps have not fully shut down yet, but the supply from the companies is insufficient. Since the companies are rationing the supply to us, we are forced to ration it for consumers."

When contacted, an official from Jamuna Oil Company Limited, speaking on condition of anonymity, blamed panic buying for the situation.

"We supply fuel to 14 districts in this region. We are distributing fuel to all pumps gradually, similar to the volume provided last year. This problem will subside if people stop buying excess fuel out of panic," the official said.