Fuel supply shortage strains petrol pumps

A section of filling station owners has urged consumers to stop panic buying, warning that the rush is worsening an already strained fuel supply.

In a Facebook post, a faction of the Bangladesh Petrol Pump Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners Association said daily allocations from oil distributors are falling short of surging demand, leaving pumps unable to meet the needs of millions of motorcycle users and other customers.

“The situation has led to widespread frustration among customers, while frontline pump workers are increasingly struggling to cope with mounting pressure and conflicts on the ground,” the faction led by Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul wrote.

Contacted, Sajjadul told The Daily Star that pumps have fixed supply limits that cannot be exceeded. “We simply cannot deliver thousands of litres of fuel at once. But many customers are unwilling to understand that,” he said. Panic buying, he added, is the key factor exacerbating the crisis.

Long queues of motorcycles have created a perception of scarcity, prompting more people to rush to pumps out of fear that fuel may soon run out. “There is an international crisis affecting supply chains. Everyone is trying -- the government, the companies, and we are as well -- but there is a limit to how much can be supplied,” Sajjadul said.

He noted that logistical disruptions during the recent Eid holidays, when depots and banks were closed, made it difficult for pump owners to procure fuel. A lack of coordination across the supply chain, from depot operations to banking services, has further complicated the situation. He urged authorities to improve supply management and enhance security at pumps nationwide.

For consumers, the frustration is mounting. Md Shaon, a resident of Dhanmondi, said he waited hours in line but failed to get fuel. “All other pumps were closed. I queued for three hours, and after two hours staffers said there was no more fuel. Yet I saw government vehicles filling petrol,” he said.

“It is frustrating to see so many vehicles just two days after Eid. We have to endure the heat just to fill some fuel. This frustration is shared by many across the country,” he added.

Despite repeated attempts, BPC Chairman Md Rezanur Rahman could not be reached for comments as he did not receive the calls.