Crowds at Ctg filling stations despite 25 days’ octane stock

Despite having sufficient octane reserves to last 25 days, petrol pumps across Chittagong have been crowded as people rush to fill fuel. 

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) reported 23,500 tonnes of octane in stock nationwide, while diesel reserves are lower, sufficient for around 15 days.

The surge in demand comes after BPC issued a government directive to ration fuel: two litres per motorcycle, 10 litres per private car, 20–25 litres per jeep or microbus, 70–80 litres per pickup or local bus, and 200–220 litres per long-distance bus, truck, or container truck.

While diesel stocks are sufficient, public anxiety over octane has led to long queues at most petrol pumps, with many waiting for hours. Motorcycles rely almost entirely on octane, while private cars and jeeps also use LPG or LNG.

Officials and fuel marketers said that panic buying has been triggered by the government’s premature instructions and statements by ministers and officials.

Amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, concerns about future fuel supply have intensified, as Bangladesh imports nearly 95% of its fuel, primarily from the region.

Recently, two key BPC directors, Dr AKM Azadur Rahman (operations and planning) and Ashraf Hossain (marketing), were placed on OSD status, raising further anxiety among senior officials. 

The new BPC chairman, Reza Nur Rahman, joined just two weeks ago, adding to operational challenges.

Currently, Chittagong has 23,500 tonnes of octane and 16,000 tonnes of petrol, enough for 25 and 16 days respectively. Furnace oil stocks can last for 49 days. Two crude shipments are expected this month: the tanker Nordic Pollack from Saudi Arabia and Omera Galaxy from the UAE, though delays are possible due to war-related shipping disruptions.

Fuel vendors report that despite rationing, they are selling above official limits, Tk 500 per motorcycle and Tk 1,500 per car, to reduce public hardship.

BPC officials assure that supplies are sufficient. “There is no fuel shortage. Octane and petrol are available, and rationing is precautionary given the uncertain duration of the Middle East conflict,” a senior official said.

Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku also said that there is no cause for panic. 

Two more fuel shipments are due on March 9, and the government’s rationing is only a precaution, he said, adding that people’s fear-driven stockpiling has caused the current queues, not a genuine shortage.

MDIH/MHK