Bank closure causing fuel crisis, will ease when they reopen, say pump owners

Fuel oil has been scarce at petrol pumps across the country, starting from Dhaka. A severe shortage of petrol and octane has been reported nationwide, although most pumps continue to supply diesel.

Mosharraf Hossain set out from Dhaka for Bhairab on a motorcycle in the morning. He said he failed to find fuel after visiting more than 30 pumps. Eventually, he managed to buy fuel worth Tk 300 from a pump in Narsingdi. Pumps in Dhaka also had no fuel on Monday morning. Most had run out on Sunday as well.

Nazmul Haque, president of the Petrol Pump Owners and Dealers Association, told bdnews24.com that owners were unable to issue pay orders due to bank closures, preventing them from ensuring fuel supplies. Hence, pumps have been facing shortages. He hoped that the situation would return to normal from Wednesday once banks reopen on Tuesday.

However, the shortage is mainly affecting petrol and octane, while diesel remains available at pumps across the country.

Imran Hossain, an owner of a Baishakhi Paribahan bus, said diesel was available. “We sent buses to the northern part of Bangladesh, and there was no shortage of diesel on the way.”

Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury, vice-president of the Thakurgaon Motor Owners Association, said, “There is no shortage of diesel. However, petrol and octane have not been available at pumps for the past few days. Motorcycle riders are the worst affected.”

Earlier on Sunday night, the Petrol Pump Owners and Dealers Association warned on its Facebook page about the possibility of nationwide pump closures due to security concerns. In a post, it said the amount of fuel being supplied daily by oil companies was insufficient to meet current demand. As a result, millions of motorcycle users were forced to wait for hours, leading to frustration and tension.

Pump nozzle operators were also struggling to manage agitated customers, often facing arguments and disputes, it said. Also, they were not used to being on duty for long periods without any breaks. The situation has become so strained that pumps across the country could shut down at any time due to security concerns and supply shortages, the post said.

However, from Monday afternoon, fuel distribution resumed at several pumps in Dhaka, including Trust Pump, Sonar Bangla at Asad Gate, and Ramna Petrol Pump. Motorcycle users have also reported on Facebook groups that they were able to fill their tanks.