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Bangladesh Cracks Down on Fuel Hoarding Amid Supply Crisis

Bangladesh's Energy Ministry has launched mobile court drives to inspect petrol pumps and prevent illegal fuel stockpiling. The government stated unscrupulous traders are hoarding fuel to create an artificial market shortage. Several stations in Dhaka were found to be dry or non-compliant with display regulations. An industry leader noted Bangladesh could procure LNG from US companies as an alternative if supplies from Qatar are unavailable.

Key Points: Bangladesh Inspects Fuel Pumps, Cracks Down on Hoarding

  • Mobile court drives inspect fuel stock
  • Government fixes supply limits per vehicle
  • Pumps found dry or hoarding fuel
  • US cited as alternative LNG supplier
2 min read

Bangladesh conducts drives at petrol pumps to inspect fuel stock

Bangladesh conducts mobile court drives at petrol pumps to prevent illegal stockpiling and artificial fuel shortages. Officials inspect compliance.

"some unscrupulous traders are illegally stockpiling fuel in an attempt to create an artificial shortage - Bangladesh Energy Ministry"

Dhaka, March 8

Bangladesh on Sunday, conducted drives to inspect the fuel stock situation, Bangladesh Energy Ministry said.

"In the current crisis situation, various media outlets have reported that some unscrupulous traders are illegally stockpiling fuel in an attempt to create an artificial shortage in the market", Bangladesh Energy Ministry said in a statement.

"To address this crisis, the government has already fixed fuel supply limits based on vehicle categories. Nevertheless, it has been observed that at various petrol pumps/filling stations, fuel is being sold in excess of the government-approved limit, additional stock is being hoarded for excessive profit, and there are tendencies of selling fuel on the open market and engaging in smuggling," it added.

In this context, Bangladesh government conducted mobile court drives in order to prevent illegal stockpiling of fuel, sale beyond the prescribed limit etc. Information regarding the Mobile Court operations conducted by the Executive Magistrate in capital Dhaka: City Filling Station, Tejgaon, Dhaka (MPL) - Dry since yesterday. Operations will resume once fuel arrives shortly. Clean Fuel, Tejgaon (POPLC) - Operating in compliance with all regulations.

RS Enterprise, Tejgaon (MPL) - Dry since last night. Royal Filling Station, Tejgaon (MPL) - Currently dry. Tashofa Filling Station, Mohakhali (JOCL) - Currently dry. Sohag Filling Station, Mohakhali (POPLC) - Had stored 3,500 liters of octane; after measurement, sales were resumed. The BPC press release was not displayed at the pump.

Eureka Filling Station, Mohakhali (JOCL) - Fuel supply is operating in full compliance with regulations.

During the ongoing fuel concerns in Bangladesh, if liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply from Qatar is not available, the country can procure fuel from companies in the United States as an alternative because Bangladesh has a fuel supply agreement with the US, a fuel business leader said on Sunday.

"Bangladesh imports LNG from Qatar, but if not from Qatar, I believe we have an agreement with the United States. Therefore, even at a higher price, the US companies might carry out the supply," Farhan Noor, Secretary General of the Bangladesh CNG Filling Station & Conversion Workshop Owners Association, told ANI in an interview.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
It's a tough situation for our neighbors. The part about having a backup agreement with the US is smart planning. Energy security is crucial for any developing economy. Hope the drives bring some transparency and relief at the pumps. 🤞
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Aman W
While the action is necessary, these mobile court drives often feel like a temporary fix. The root cause is the supply chain and dependency on imports. Bangladesh, like many of us in South Asia, needs to invest more in renewable energy and diversify sources long-term.
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Sarah B
Interesting to see the detailed reporting on which stations were dry or compliant. Transparency is key in building public trust during such shortages. The common man suffers the most when fuel prices spike or supply dries up.
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Vikram M
"Unscrupulous traders" – the story is the same everywhere, yaar. From kerosene to petrol, black marketing thrives in a crisis. Hope the magistrates impose heavy fines. Stability in Bangladesh is good for the entire region's economy.
K
Kriti O
The mention of smuggling is concerning. It shows how porous borders can be exploited during shortages. Regional cooperation on energy and cracking down on cross-border smuggling rackets would benefit all countries involved.

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