Long queues of motorcycles and private cars formed at filling stations across the capital on Saturday as Bangladesh imposed temporary limits on fuel purchases following rising global oil prices linked to escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The long queues outside filling stations have caused significant traffic congestion on several roads in Dhaka, adding to public inconvenience during Ramadan.
In this situation, the government warned against hoarding and said mobile courts will begin inspections at filling stations from Sunday to prevent irregularities and overpricing.
The temporary restrictions were introduced after public anxiety over global energy prices led to a surge in demand at petrol pumps. The government's aim is to prevent hoarding and ensure stable supply, but it has created hardships for many drivers-particularly ride-sharing motorcyclists who rely on daily earnings.
At the Ramna filling station near Matysa Bhaban in Dhaka, ride-share motorcyclist Apurop Biswas said he had been waiting nearly 40 minutes to buy octane fuel. "If half of my day goes just waiting for fuel, how can the remaining time cover my expenses?" he said.
He explained that before the restrictions, he could operate throughout the day after refueling twice. Under the new rule limiting motorcycles to two liters per purchase, he now needs to stop four to five times daily. "This rule has made things especially difficult for us," he added.
Another ride-share driver, Robiul Islam, who has been working for more than a decade, expressed similar frustration while waiting in line for over an hour at the Hajipara filling station in Malibagh. "Earlier I could run the bike all day after taking fuel once or twice. Now I spend almost six hours waiting for fuel and another six hours riding," he said. "In any crisis, ordinary people suffer the most-and now I'm one of them."
Drivers report that the extra time spent queuing reduces the number of passengers they can carry and lowers their income. Masudur Rashid, an Uber driver who waited over 90 minutes at the Meghna Model Service Centre in Paribagh, said his earnings have dropped sharply. "Half of the day goes in getting fuel. Where I used to earn 1,000-1,200 taka a day, now it's difficult even to make 500-600," he said.
Not everyone opposes the government's move. Jawad Al Zafir, who came to refuel at Hajipara, believes the restrictions could help prevent hoarding. "Because of this limit, people won't be able to store excess fuel," he said. "Even though we have to wait longer, I think it will help avoid a bigger crisis."
Petrol pump operators say they are simply following government instructions. Md. Osman, manager of the Ramna filling station, said, "We are selling fuel according to the government's guidelines. Until Thursday, we received fuel from the depot based on demand. Since Friday and Saturday are holidays, we are waiting to see whether supplies will arrive tomorrow."
At several stations, fuel ran out temporarily. At Purbachal Traders in Paribagh, a notice board at 2 p.m. read "No petrol/octane available." Accountant Jafar Ahmed said the station's supply had been exhausted due to unusually high demand. "We normally receive fuel from the depot after the weekend. Because of the surge in purchases, our stock finished yesterday," he said.
In a notice issued Friday by the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), the following limits were set per purchase:
Motorcycles: 2 liters; Private cars: 10 liters; SUVs/Jeeps/Microbuses: 20-25 liters; Pickup vans/local buses: 70-80 liters; Long-distance buses, trucks, container vehicles: 200-220 liters.
The temporary restrictions were introduced to prevent panic buying and hoarding and to stabilize domestic fuel supply.
The global energy market has been shaken since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran. Iran responded with retaliatory strikes, and tensions spread across the oil-rich Middle East.
Iran has reportedly restricted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, while attacks have disrupted liquefied natural gas production in Qatar. These developments have pushed international energy prices higher.
Following a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister's Office on Saturday, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud said Bangladesh has sufficient fuel reserves and urged citizens not to panic. He noted that two additional oil tankers are expected to arrive in Bangladesh on March 9, which should help stabilize supply.
State Minister for Energy Anindya Islam Amit said a rationing system for fuel distribution will be introduced from Sunday to ensure long-term supply stability. Written instructions will be issued to petrol pumps.
"The public concern is understandable because a war situation exists," he said after visiting filling stations in Paribagh. "But there is no reason to worry about shortages. We currently have sufficient reserves."
He acknowledged that global oil prices have risen sharply due to the conflict and warned that the government may need to adjust prices if the pressure continues. "We will try not to increase fuel prices," he said. "But if it becomes unavoidable, we will share the burden with the public and seek their support."
Officials continue to monitor the situation closely as authorities attempt to balance public demand with global supply disruptions.
Besides, Bangladesh Shadharon Nagorik Shamaj, a civil society platform, urged all stakeholders not to create any artificial fuel shortage in the country by taking advantage of the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
In a statement, convener Mohiuddin Ahmed called on people not to spread panic among the public over uncertainty surrounding global fuel supply.
The platform said dishonest traders might attempt to create an artificial crisis in the domestic market by using the international situation as an excuse. It also warned that instability in fuel supply management could arise due to wrong or unplanned decisions by the BPC or Petrobangla.
However, according to various sources, the country currently has adequate fuel reserves. Therefore, the organisation urged all concerned to refrain from spreading rumors or creating unnecessary panic.
Bangladesh Shadharon Nagorik Shamaj also called on the relevant government agencies to ensure transparency in fuel supply and stock management, strengthen market monitoring, and take strict action against dishonest traders to prevent any artificial crisis. The organisation urged all stakeholders to act responsibly to safeguard the country's energy security and protect public interests.
