Pump Owners says, No Plan to Shut Petrol Pumps Despite Fuel Supply Crisis

Sajjadul Kabir, convener of the Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners Association, clarified on 23 March that there is currently no plan to shut down petrol pumps nationwide. He said operations are continuing, but supply shortages remain a major challenge.

He attributed part of the disruption to banking closures during the Eid holidays, which prevented pump owners from issuing pay orders required to lift fuel from depots. This has directly affected the replenishment of fuel stocks at stations.

Despite continued operations, pump owners warned that without immediate government action to ensure adequate supply and strengthen security at fuel stations and along transport routes, the situation could deteriorate further.

Fuel station owners in Bangladesh have raised alarm over a worsening fuel supply crisis coupled with growing security concerns, warning that operations could be severely disrupted if the situation persists.

However, in a press release issued on 22 March, the Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association described the nationwide situation as “critical.” The association said that the daily fuel supply from oil companies is insufficient to meet rising demand, especially during the Eid period.

Long queues have formed at petrol pumps across the country, with many motorcyclists waiting hours for refuelling. Pump workers are under significant physical and mental pressure due to extended working hours and crowd management challenges.

The association also alleged a breakdown in law and order at fuel stations. Incidents of panic buying, hoarding, and repeated purchases by individuals for resale at higher prices have been reported. In some cases, customers were refuelling multiple times a day, depriving others of access to fuel.

Security risks have escalated further, with reports of organised groups forcibly opening pumps at night and looting fuel. In Thakurgaon, miscreants reportedly looted fuel during supply operations. There are also concerns about tanker hijacking during transportation from depots.

Ahead of Eid, the crisis worsened as some pumps failed to reserve even minimal fuel for emergency services such as ambulances. Stocks that were expected to last several days were depleted within hours due to excessive demand and chaotic conditions.