The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has introduced stricter measures to regulate fuel distribution, including fixed depot operating hours and mandatory disclosure rules for petrol pumps, as the government moves to stabilize supply amid global uncertainty.
The initiative comes against the backdrop of the ongoing Middle East crisis, which has driven up global fuel prices and triggered supply concerns at home. In recent days, long queues have been seen across the country, with motorists lining up for fuel at stations.
New Depot Schedule for Streamlined Supply
According to a BPC statement issued Saturday, fuel distribution from all major installations and depots under its marketing companies will now operate on a fixed schedule—from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Officials say the structured timing is designed to bring discipline to the supply chain and ensure that filling stations, dealers, and pumps receive fuel in a more organized and predictable manner.
Mandatory Supply Disclosure at Fuel Stations
To increase transparency, BPC has directed all petrol pumps and filling stations to install visible display boards—either blackboards or whiteboards—on their premises.
These boards must clearly show:
· Type of fuel available
· Daily average supply received in March 2025
· Daily average supply received in March 2026
· Quantity of fuel received on the current day
By comparing present supply levels with last year’s data, authorities aim to help consumers and regulators identify discrepancies and detect possible hoarding or artificial shortages.
The directive came into effect Saturday at 12:00 pm.
Crackdown on Irregularities Intensifies
The new rules are part of a broader enforcement drive that includes district-level vigilance teams and the deployment of designated “tag officers” at petrol pumps. Also Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been deployed at key fuel depots across the country under directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Government data indicate that 293 mobile court drives were conducted across 62 districts in a single day, leading to 78 cases and fines totaling Tk 315,550.
In one incident in Jamalpur, authorities discovered approximately 2,500 liters of petrol stored in 12 drums at a station named Jui Enterprise, despite claims of stock shortages. The pump manager was fined Tk 50,000 under the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009 for creating an artificial crisis.
Ensuring Stability in a Volatile Market
Officials say the latest feet are aimed at maintaining a steady fuel supply, preventing market manipulation, and restoring public confidence during a period of heightened global energy volatility.
The government has signaled that monitoring and enforcement will continue to be strengthened in the coming days to ensure fair distribution and uninterrupted access to fuel nationwide.
