'Severe fuel crisis grips country, petrol pumps may shut anytime'

Amid an acute fuel oil crisis and lack of adequate security at petrol pumps, the Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association has expressed grave concern that fuel sales could halt at any moment. The organisation shared this warning in a press release sent to the media on Sunday night, March 22.

The statement said the amount of fuel currently being supplied by oil companies is extremely limited compared to demand. The daily allocation is insufficient to meet customer needs. As a result, motorcyclists and other consumers are waiting for hours in long queues at pumps. Pump workers are also physically and mentally exhausted from continuous duty without respite. The association warned that pumps could become inoperable at any moment due to inadequate supply.

The organisation claimed that the government and district administrations have virtually ignored security issues in the fuel marketing system. With no effective security arrangements at pumps during sales, chaos is escalating daily. Pump owners said that on the day before Eid, a pump had 10,500 litres of petrol and an equal amount of octane in stock, but due to excessive pressure and disorder, it was exhausted in no time. The situation has reached a point they described as "looting".

The release alleged that despite selling fuel following administration directives, many drivers are taking fuel up to 10 times a day and reselling it on the streets at inflated prices. Many others repeatedly collect fuel even when their tanks are partially full, depriving genuinely needy consumers. Additionally, organised groups are forming mobs late at night to forcibly open pumps and take fuel. Citing attacks with sticks in Thakurgaon, owners said there is currently no minimum security at pumps.

Now, not only pumps but tankers transporting fuel from depots also face the risk of being looted en route. Owners said that if security is not ensured quickly in such adverse conditions, they will have no choice but to shut down their businesses. They said due to the crisis, even 200 litres of octane cannot be reserved for ambulances at many pumps. The association has threatened to suspend fuel lifting from depots if a strong law enforcement presence is not ensured at pumps.