Petrol station operators in Dhaka and surrounding areas are struggling to maintain smooth operations as fuel deliveries remain inconsistent and shortages continue to hit the market.
Many owners say managing staff payments and routine expenses has become increasingly difficult.
Some filling stations have seen their petrol and octane allocations cut by as much as a quarter to a third, with certain outlets experiencing even deeper reductions.
Delivery delays at depots have worsened the situation, causing long lines at pumps, particularly for petrol and octane. Diesel, while slightly more available, is also facing supply pressure.
SM Habibullah, a senior official at Meghna Service Centre and Filling Station, said fuel was arriving more regularly than before, but quantities fluctuate day to day, making planning difficult.
Operators also point to changing buying patterns as an added strain. Customers who previously filled smaller amounts are now topping up more frequently, quickly depleting station stocks.
Pablu Samdani Quazi Feroz, owner of QG Samdani Filling Station in Banglabazar, said he did not receive petrol and octane supplies for several days.
“Even when we send vehicles out, fuel isn’t available. With fewer vehicles running, the pressure on daily operations and staff management is very high,” he said.
The current shortage began after disruptions in global oil markets caused by the recent Middle East conflict, which intensified in late February.
Rising tensions and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz affected shipping routes, causing delays in fuel shipments and pushing up international prices — making it harder for Bangladesh to receive its usual supply on time.
In early March, long lines formed at stations across the country as customers rushed to fill their tanks. The government responded on March 6 with a daily quota system limiting deliveries to stations and sales to motorists.
Despite these measures, many stations still faced long waits and empty pumps, prompting the government to lift the quota on March 15, just before Eid, while urging people to avoid panic buying.
To prevent hoarding, authorities deployed the Border Guard Bangladesh to key fuel depots and tasked special officers with tracking deliveries. Large amounts of illegally stored fuel have been recovered and cases filed against violators.
Officials have also assured the public that adequate stocks remain and that further shipments of petrol, octane, and diesel are expected in April.
