Fuel Fear: Petrol Pump Owners Warn of Possible Nationwide Shutdown
The Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association has expressed concern that petrol pumps across the country may shut down at any time due to fuel shortages and security risks.
In a Facebook post on Sunday night, March 22, the organization stated that the condition of petrol pumps nationwide is крайне dire. The amount of fuel currently being supplied by oil companies on a daily basis is insufficient to meet customer demand. As a result, millions of motorcycle users are being forced to wait for hours to refuel, leading to frustration and unrest. At the same time, pump operators and nozzle workers are struggling to manage increasingly agitated customers, often resulting in disputes and clashes.
The post further noted that workers are not accustomed to such continuous, high-pressure duty. Overall, the situation has deteriorated to the point where petrol pumps across the country may be forced to shut down at any moment due to lack of fuel supply and security concerns.
The association has also issued a press release highlighting these concerns.
Earlier, the organization emphasized the need for security in fuel sales at petrol pumps. However, it claimed that both the government and district administrations have effectively overlooked the issue. The absence of effective security measures during fuel sales has reportedly led to growing disorder.
According to the association, on the day before Eid, one pump in a district town had a stock of 10,500 liters of petrol and the same amount of octane, while another pump had around 8,000 liters of fuel. Under normal circumstances, this stock would last several days, but due to sudden excessive demand and disorder, it was depleted within a short time.
The association described the situation as a form of looting.
They alleged that some individuals are purchasing fuel multiple times a day. While pumps are selling fuel in accordance with administrative guidelines, many motorcycle riders are reportedly buying fuel up to 10 times a day and reselling it outside at higher prices. Others are repeatedly returning with partially filled tanks. This behavior is depriving genuine customers and creating further disorder at pumps.
There are also allegations that groups have been arriving at pumps late at night, creating mobs, forcing pumps to open, and taking fuel by force. Citing an incident in Thakurgaon, the association said that during fuel supply operations, individuals armed with sticks looted all available fuel. Such incidents, they warned, could happen to any pump owner, as there is virtually no security.
The association further stated that alongside the current fuel shortage, security concerns at petrol pumps have become increasingly critical. There are also risks during the transportation of fuel from depots, with fears that tankers may be looted en route. In such a situation, they warned, unless security is ensured promptly, there may be no option but to shut down operations.
The organization also noted that on the night before Eid, many petrol pumps were unable to reserve even 200 liters of octane for emergency services such as ambulances. In some cases, fuel was forcibly taken after pumps were opened under pressure. Therefore, they stressed that without a strong presence of law enforcement agencies at petrol pumps, they may be compelled to halt fuel lifting (collection) from depots.
DBTech/SMEH/MUM/OR
