The government has moved to tighten control over the country’s fuel supply chain, deploying Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel, appointing monitoring officers at petrol pumps, and enforcing strict distribution rules amid concerns over hoarding and market disorder.
BGB members have already been deployed at 19 fuel depots across nine districts to ensure discipline in distribution and prevent illegal stockpiling.
According to a press release issued by BGB Headquarters on Saturday, the force has been stationed under a coordinated plan to maintain uninterrupted supply. Personnel are operating from temporary base camps in secure locations, particularly in remote areas.
Since the morning of 25 March, BGB teams have been active in Dhaka, Kurigram, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, and Sunamganj.
Led by designated officers, the deployed members are conducting regular monitoring, enforcing administrative and security measures, and taking immediate action to prevent any untoward incidents. Intelligence surveillance has also been strengthened to curb illegal hoarding, unauthorised sales, and potential sabotage.
In parallel, the government has decided to appoint a “tag officer” at every petrol pump nationwide to further tighten oversight.
The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources said the decision was taken at a virtual meeting chaired by Energy Division Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam.
In Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas, the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) will assign these officers. Elsewhere, deputy commissioners and upazila nirbahi officers will designate government officials for the role.
The appointed officers will follow guidelines set by the Energy Division or BPC and submit daily monitoring reports. At the field level, district administrations have begun enforcing stricter control measures.
In Thakurgaon, authorities have introduced a “special card” system for certain fuel purchases in a bid to restore order in the supply chain.
Under the new directive, fuel sales outside authorised filling stations and dealers have been strictly prohibited. Stations are required to display daily stock information before starting distribution.
The sale of fuel in bottles, drums, or containers has also been banned. However, limited quantities may be provided for irrigation purposes through special cards issued by the deputy commissioner (DC) or upazila nirbahi officer (UNO).
Additional restrictions have been placed on consumers. Vehicle owners must present valid documents including driving licences, registration papers, and tax tokens, when purchasing fuel.
Motorcyclists, in particular, will only be allowed to refuel between 9am and 6pm, with stations instructed to suspend supply outside these hours.
Authorities have also made it mandatory for customers to stand in queues at filling stations to maintain order.
The measures come alongside ongoing enforcement drives across the country.
According to the ministry, mobile courts conducted 293 drives in 62 districts, filing 78 cases over irregularities and imposing fines totalling Tk 315,550.
Magistrates from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division are continuing daily drives in Dhaka and surrounding areas, with operations set to continue.
The ministry has also urged citizens to report any suspected irregularities or malpractice to designated vigilance teams.
