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The petrol pump owners have threatened to shut down their operations nationwide if the government fails to ensure security and stabilise fuel supplies.
The announcement came from an emergency press conference in the city on Wednesday, where leaders of the Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners’ Association outlined growing unrest at filling stations following the introduction of rationing measures.
Association president Mohammad Nazmul Haque alleged that the government’s contradictory stance—claiming adequate reserves while restricting supply—has fueled panic among consumers.
“People are rushing to pumps, filling tanks to the brim, and creating long queues and disorder. This dual messaging has triggered confusion and fear,” he told reporters.
Pump owners reported incidents of violence, including a stabbing of a worker in Sunamganj, as tensions rise over reduced supply.
They allege that despite official instructions to cut distribution by 10 per cent compared to 2025 levels, actual reductions are far more, although the number of vehicles and fuel demand have surged by nearly 30 per cent.
The association also criticised new rules requiring ride-share motorcycles to present documents to receive limited fuel, warning that such measures could spark further chaos at crowded stations.
Owners expressed anger at mobile court operations, saying they are being publicly humiliated under the guise of monitoring.
Additional pressure is mounting from sectors such as agriculture and urban generators, with farmers reportedly struggling to secure fuel for irrigation pumps.
To address the crisis, the association presented an eight-point demand, including deployment of army personnel alongside police at filling stations, equal supply for all pumps, increased distribution through marketing companies, and strict action against illegal stockpiling.
They also called for an end to mobile court harassment and restrictions on outsiders entering fuel depots.
Nazmul Haque warned that unless these demands are met swiftly, owners may suspend operations entirely.
“If security is not ensured and supply is not stabilised, we will have no choice but to close pumps. Any untoward situation that follows will be the government’s responsibility,” he said.
Separately, the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has reduced the rate of supply cuts on octane and petrol in divisional cities from 25 per cent to 15 per cent.
The state-run corporation announced the decision in a press release on Wednesday, saying the earlier directive had been revised to maintain a normal fuel supply amid the global crisis.
Under the revised decision, fuel will be distributed according to a filling station-based allocation chart.
Depot superintendents, sales officers, dealers and agents of BPC’s marketing companies have been instructed to take necessary steps to implement the directive.
In a separate notification, BPC said arrangements have been made to ensure fuel oil supply to registered direct customers of its marketing companies, and deliveries are continuing accordingly.
The corporation said fuel consignments are arriving regularly under the import schedule. At the same time, fuel oil is being transported from the central establishment to depots across the country by rail wagons and tankers.
azizjst@yahoo.com