Fuel supply returns to normal

The fuel supply situation across the country has officially stabilised, bringing an end to weeks of frantic panic buying and gruelling queues at filling stations.

As of Tuesday, petrol pumps in the capital and other major cities reported a return to "business as usual," with most motorists spending less than 15 minutes to refuel, a stark contrast to the 10-hour wait times seen earlier this month.

The turning point came following a series of aggressive government interventions and the arrival of several major shipments at ports. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) significantly increased the daily supply of diesel, octane, and petrol, while the successful rollout of the QR-code-based "Fuel Pass" app helped eliminate the chaos of queuing and hoarding.

By rationing supplies through digital monitoring, the authorities managed to restore public confidence and break the cycle of anxiety-driven purchasing.

On the ground, the relief is palpable. In bustling areas like Gabtoli, Mirpur, Kuril, the once-congested roads leading to pumps are now clear. Station operators noted a significant drop in "panic purchasing," as vehicle owners are no longer topping off their tanks daily out of fear of a total shutdown.

This restoration of order was further supported by nationwide mobile court drives, which seized over 5.6 lakh liters of illegally stockpiled fuel, effectively dismantling the artificial crisis created by black-market hoarders.

While the immediate supply crisis has passed, energy officials continue to monitor global market trends and regional tensions. Current reserves for diesel, octane, and petrol are reportedly sufficient to maintain a steady supply for the next two months.

Despite the recent price adjustments with octane at Tk140 and diesel at Tk115, the government has reassured the public that there is no longer a need for bulk storage at home, urging citizens to resume their normal consumption patterns as the energy sector regains its footing.

Mohammad Amir, the manager of Sumatra Filling Station, said that, "For the past few days, we haven't experienced the intense crowds we saw previously. We are now supplying fuel in a normal environment. Usually, we sell 36,000 liters of fuel daily; however, for the last two days, we have received a supply of 45,000 liters."

When asked about the long lines for fuel, he said, "Look, the excessive crowding was primarily caused by panic buying. That situation occurred because people started collecting fuel out of fear. Our pump is very old and reputed; things are completely back to normal here now. You can still see a small queue of vehicles waiting for fuel, but even that will disappear once the lingering panic fully fades away."

Emphasizing the importance of fuel quality at the pump level, he said, "You see, fuel and petrol are highly volatile. There is also a certain amount of 'system loss' involved during transportation and supply. Although we lose a significant amount of fuel daily due to this system loss, we still ensure that we supply the accurate quantity to our customers. This is exactly why we have a relatively higher number of customers here."

Highlighting the impact of government oversight, he further said that, "Law enforcement officers are present here round the clock, which has ensured that there is no chaos or disorder. We are very satisfied with the government's measures. 

“Additionally, following official directives, we are providing fuel to 'Fuel Pass' holders according to their demand."

Amin Haidar, who came to the station to refuel his motorcycle, said that, “Standing in long lines for fuel was not only physically exhausting but also a massive waste of working hours. However, it feels great now to get the required amount of oil for my bike in such a short time. Today, it only took me 15 minutes to get fuel.”

Meanwhile, Abdul Mannan, the manager of Pinnacle Petrol Pump in Kuril, said that, "The situation over fuel queues is improving day by day. The crowd at our pump has now gradually decreased. Our daily demand was 9,000 litres, and it remains the same; however, yesterday we received an extra tanker (9,000 liters) of oil, which has improved the situation even further."

He added, "With the government increasing fuel prices to control the situation, hoarding is now on the decline. I hope people will no longer panic and stockpile fuel."

The reporter can be reached at [email protected]