A locally developed fuel management application in Naogaon is gaining widespread popularity for its simplicity and efficiency, even as the government’s national “Fuel Pass” system faces operational challenges.
While the government introduced the “Fuel Pass” app to bring transparency in the fuel sector, users report that its requirement for pre-registration, internet access and QR code verification has made it complicated for general consumers.
The system, piloted in Dhaka by Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, has also faced complaints of server disruptions and difficulty in registration, forcing many fuel stations to revert to traditional methods.
In contrast, Naogaon district administration’s app; developed jointly with Department of Information and Communication Technology, does not require consumer registration.
Instead, transactions are managed through fuel station operator accounts, making the process faster and reducing server load.
The system also allows fuel to be recorded both by liter and monetary value, reducing issues with change handling and speeding up transactions.
It further requires vehicle mileage input at each refuelling, helping prevent fuel hoarding and improving monitoring.
Authorities say the platform includes features such as number plate scanning, real-time monitoring, input-output tracking at fuel stations and AI-based oversight to detect suspicious transactions and prevent irregularities.
It also covers fuel distribution for agricultural machinery and emergency generators.
According to officials, the system is currently being used in 172 fuel stations across Naogaon, Rajshahi, Pabna, Joypurhat and Bogura, with 559 registered fuel station workers.
So far, around 90,000 vehicles have been registered and over 510,000 litres of fuel have been distributed through the system.
Users and operators have praised the app for its ease of use and efficiency.
A motorcyclist, Abdul Kader Hira, said he does not need to register separately, making the process much easier.
Another customer, Kazi Mozammel Haque, noted that the system has eliminated repeated queuing for fuel.
Station managers also reported improved efficiency, saying the app has reduced paperwork and simplified fuel accounting.
Owners added that the option to input fuel value instead of only litres has helped solve change-related issues.
Developer Biplob Chandra Sarkar said the app is available on both Android and iOS and provides real-time alerts for policy changes.
He added that it records fuel distribution across all vehicle types and supports administrative dashboards from local to national levels for monitoring and decision-making.
Naogaon Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Saiful Islam said the system ensures transparency and accountability in fuel distribution at low cost and could significantly reduce irregularities if implemented more widely.
KKH/SH
