Petrol pump owners on Tuesday proposed limiting the sale of petrol and octane to between 7am and 8pm, citing growing security risks and operational challenges amid ongoing fuel distribution pressures.
The proposal was made at a press conference in Moghbazar by the Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association. Leaders said restricting sales to daytime hours would help maintain order and ensure safer operations at fuel stations.
Association president Nazmul Haque said pump operators have faced increasing harassment and, in some cases, attacks on staff, particularly during late hours when supervision is limited. He added that long queues triggered by fuel rationing and fears of shortages have heightened tensions at several pumps.
“Operating at night has become increasingly difficult due to safety concerns and lack of monitoring,” he said. Limiting sales hours, he added, would help bring discipline to the system.
Haque emphasised that, despite adhering to government-fixed prices and official directives, pump owners and employees face immense pressure from panic-driven demand. The association warned that excessive buying by consumers strains supply, risking temporary shortages at individual pumps even when overall stocks remain sufficient.
The owners urged the public to remain calm, follow government guidelines, and avoid panic buying, which contributes to congestion and instability. They also called for stronger security at pumps nationwide, particularly in district and upazila areas, and recommended a more balanced, demand-based fuel supply to prevent overcrowding at specific stations.
The association added that diesel supply must remain uninterrupted on a 24-hour basis to support public transport and goods movement, even if petrol and octane sales are limited to daytime hours.
They also stressed stricter monitoring to prevent hoarding or unauthorised sales, warning that any violators should face strict penalties, including licence cancellation.
Responding to claims of pumps remaining closed despite having fuel, Haque said isolated incidents should not reflect the sector as a whole. Operators remain committed to keeping stations functional under challenging conditions.
He concluded that stability in the fuel supply system requires coordinated efforts from the government, operators, and the public, with discipline and restraint key to managing the situation.
