Most petrol pumps shut as owners warn of shortage, security concerns

Highlights
- Owners say fuel supply is
insufficient
- Reports of chaotic
scenes, with some buyers purchasing fuel repeatedly for resale
- Allegations of
looting, including forced nighttime pump openings and tanker security
threats
Most petrol pumps across the capital
remain shut today (25 March), a couple of days after owners warned of fuel
shortage and security concerns.
Visiting PWD
Sports Club filling station, it was seen that the entry is shut with bamboo
sticks. The same situation was observed in many other filling stations in the
capital, including areas such as Matuail, Rayerbagh and Signboard.
What owners say
Earlier on 22
March, petrol pump owners in Bangladesh warned that fuel stations across the
country may shut down due to mounting security concerns and an ongoing fuel
supply shortage.
In a late-night
press release, the Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association said petrol pumps
nationwide are facing a 'critical situation' as the daily fuel allocation from
companies is insufficient to meet growing consumer demand.
Petrol pump in Asad Gate remains closed on 25 March 2026.
The organisation
further alleged that the issue of security in fuel marketing has been largely
overlooked by the government and local administration, leading to increasing
disorder at pump stations.
Citing recent incidents, the association said that despite having around 10,500
litres of petrol and an equal amount of octane at one pump ahead of Eid, and
about 8,000 litres at another, the stock was depleted within a short period due
to excessive pressure and chaotic situations.
Describing the situation as a form of
"looting," the association claimed that some individuals are
purchasing fuel multiple times a day and reselling it at higher prices.
In some cases,
motorcyclists were reportedly refuelling up to 10 times daily while others
repeatedly returned with partially filled tanks, depriving genuine customers.
The association
also alleged that organised groups have been forcibly opening pumps at night
and taking fuel.
Sign shows only diesel available at a fueling station with no
octane or petrol at Rayerbagh in the capital on 25 March 2026.
Referring to an
incident in Thakurgaon, it said miscreants armed with sticks looted fuel during
supply operations.
The association
noted that along with the fuel shortage, security risks have intensified,
including threats of tanker looting during transportation from depots.
After the
US-Israel attack on Iran and Iran retaliating by restricting the Strait of
Hormuz, there arose panic among the public, anticipating a shortage of fuel
supply.
Fueling station remains closed in Matuail on 25 March 2026.
For the past
several days, consumers struggled to obtain enough fuel to run their vehicles.
At one stage, the government introduced a rationing system, yet many vehicle
users continued to face difficulties.
Motorcycle riders gather at a filling station amid fuel crisis in
Savar on 25 March 2026.
With Eid al-Fitr
approaching and people rushing to travel home, the government withdrew the fuel
rationing order for petrol, octane and diesel, following the arrival of several
imported oil tankers at Chattogram Port.
However, owners
still cited a shortage of supply and stopped selling fuel altogether.
















