Jashore is facing an acute fuel shortage as panic buying and excessive stockpiling by motorists exacerbate the situation, authorities and local residents say.
Drivers, fearing scarcity, are reportedly collecting more fuel than necessary, while some filling station owners claim supplies from depots are insufficient to meet demand.
On Wednesday, many petrol stations across the city displayed “No Fuel” signs, with long queues forming where limited fuel was available. Motorists have reportedly travelled 10 to 15 kilometres searching for fuel, often without success.
Several residents and regular consumers blame public panic and overstocking for the artificial scarcity.
Md Mahbubur Rahman, an NGO worker from Bejpara, said he requires about 10 litres of fuel weekly for professional travel. “Previously, I spent Tk200 on fuel, but now I am paying Tk 1,000–1,500. Many are taking fuel home in bottles, creating the shortage ourselves,” he said.
Another motorist, Atiar Biswas, echoed the concern, adding that if motorists continued to buy fuel as they normally would, the crisis would not have arisen. “The tension and overreaction of some people are increasing pressure on the system,” he said.
Station owners report that while diesel supply is relatively steady, petrol and octane are in severe shortage. SM Khalid, owner of Monir Uddin Filling Station, said, “We receive 9,000–10,000 litres of diesel daily, though demand is 13,000 litres. Petrol and octane demand is around 6,000 litres, but we are supplied only half of that.”
Ikram Hossain, manager of Jatrik Filling Station, added that many drivers are collecting fuel three to four times a day unnecessarily, leaving ordinary motorists without access.
District authorities have taken strict measures to control the situation. District Commissioner Mohammad Asheq Hasan stated that there is no genuine fuel shortage in Jashore. “An artificial shortage has arisen due to panic buying and hoarding. We are closely monitoring how much fuel arrives at each station from depots and how it is being sold,” he said.
The district administration and police are jointly working to prevent stockpiling. From Thursday, a crackdown on illegal motorcycles has begun, with vehicles without helmets or proper documents being seized. Authorities have warned that anyone found hoarding fuel will face strict legal action.
