Due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, the global supply of fuel oil has decreased. This has raised concerns about a possible fuel shortage in the country as well. People, out of panic, are crowding filling stations and buying more fuel than necessary. For this reason, the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has set limits on the amount of fuel that can be supplied from filling stations.
In a notice issued on Friday (March 6), the decision was announced.
According to the notice:
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A motorcycle can receive 2 liters of petrol or octane per day.
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A private car can receive 10 liters per day.
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Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) (commonly known as jeeps) and microbuses can receive 20–25 liters per day.
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Pickup trucks and local buses can receive 70–80 liters of diesel per day.
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Long-distance buses, trucks, covered vans, or container trucks can receive 200–220 liters per day.
According to BPC, about 95% of the country’s fuel is imported from abroad. In times of global crisis, the import and supply management of fuel may occasionally be disrupted or delayed. Due to the ongoing global crisis and negative reports circulating in various media and social media about fuel stock, an unusually high demand from consumers has been observed. To meet this excess demand, dealers have been trying to collect more fuel from depots than usual.
Requirement to Show Receipt
Under the new rules, customers must collect a receipt when purchasing fuel from filling stations. The receipt must mention the type, quantity, and price of fuel. When buying fuel again, the previous receipt must be shown. Dealers will verify the receipt before supplying fuel. Dealers have been strictly warned not to supply fuel beyond the allocated limit.
Government Assurance
The directive also said the country has a scheduled fuel import system to maintain normal supply, and shipments are regularly arriving. Additionally, fuel is being transported temporarily from main facilities to depots across the country via rail wagons and tankers. It is expected that a sufficient buffer stock of fuel will be built up soon.
Crowds at Filling Stations
Meanwhile, even on Friday’s holiday, large crowds were seen at various filling stations in the capital. At the Meghna Model Service Center filling station in Paribagh, a long line of motorcycles and private cars stretched from the station past Hotel InterContinental to beneath the Shahbagh metro rail line.
Around 12:15 PM, arguments broke out among several motorcycle riders over their place in the line, and some even got into physical altercations.
Background of the Crisis
Since February 28, the United States and Israel have been carrying out attacks on Iran, and Iran has been responding with counterattacks. The conflict has spread across several Middle Eastern countries. As Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, concerns about a fuel crisis have increased.
However, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division said there is no reason to panic. The country has not run out of fuel reserves, but many people are buying fuel out of concern.
