A worsening fuel shortage across multiple districts has disrupted transport, triggered enforcement drives, and exposed widespread irregularities in supply and distribution, raising concerns over market stability.
The crisis intensified after tanker workers in eight northern districts launched an indefinite strike, halting fuel supply from a key depot, while authorities elsewhere cracked down on hoarding, illegal sales, and misuse.
Rangpur division: Strike halts fuel supply
Fuel supply came to a standstill across Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Kurigram and Lalmonirhat after tanker workers began an indefinite strike on Sunday.
The strike, called by the Rangpur Divisional Tanker Workers Union, followed the arrest and sentencing of three individuals in Nilphamari over allegations of fuel theft.
As a result, no diesel, petrol or octane has been lifted from the Parbatipur Railway Head Oil Depot, a major supply point for the region.
Union leaders demanded the release of the detained workers within 24 hours and the removal of the Nilphamari Nezarat deputy collector (NDC).
They warned that the strike would continue until their demands are met, raising the risk of a complete halt in passenger and goods transport.
The Petrol Pump Owners Association has expressed support for the workers, while discussions are ongoing to resolve the dispute.
Rajshahi: BGB steps up surveillance
In Rajshahi, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified monitoring of oil depots and filling stations to prevent hoarding and cross-border smuggling.
Three platoons have been deployed at the district’s Padma, Meghna and Jamuna depots, while surveillance has also been expanded to 12 filling stations and border char areas.
Officials said the move aims to counter attempts by unscrupulous groups to exploit higher fuel prices in neighbouring India by stockpiling and smuggling oil across the border.
Authorities said monitoring will continue alongside coordination with local administration to ensure supply stability.
Faridpur: Pumps fined for hoarding
In Faridpur, authorities seized 28,000 litres of fuel from two filling stations accused of halting sales despite having stock.
At Hossain Filling Station in Kanaipur, officials recovered 7,000 litres of petrol, 6,500 litres of octane and 14,500 litres of diesel, despite a “No Oil” sign displayed to customers.
The station was fined Tk50,000, and authorities ordered immediate resumption of fuel sales.
A similar drive at Royal Filling Station uncovered thousands of litres of fuel in storage, despite limited sales. Officials directed the pump to restore full services.
Authorities said enforcement drives will continue to prevent irregularities and ensure uninterrupted supply.
Chittagong: Pump penalized for halting sales
In Hathazari, Chittagong, a filling station was fined Tk10,000 after a mobile court found it had stopped selling fuel despite having around 6,000 litres of octane in stock.
Officials said there is no provision for withholding fuel and ordered the station to resume sales immediately.
Bagerhat: Illegal stockpiling uncovered
In Mongla, a joint operation by the Coast Guard, Navy and other agencies uncovered over 12,600 litres of illegally stockpiled fuel at a depot.
The seized fuel, valued at more than Tk12 lakh, was found during a late-night drive at Jamuna Petroleum Limited.
Authorities said legal action is underway and warned that similar drives will continue to stabilise the fuel market.
Netrokona: Monitoring, enforcement intensified
In Netrokona, the district administration appointed “tag officers” at all filling stations to ensure transparency in fuel distribution.
A special drive also recovered around 3,500 litres of illegally stored diesel from an unlicensed shop. The trader was fined, and the fuel was redistributed to the public at government-set prices.
Authorities also conducted operations against transport irregularities, filing multiple cases for overcharging passengers and operating without valid documents.
Natore: Lorry manager fined for illegal sale
In Natore, a mobile court fined a lorry manager Tk50,000 after finding that fuel was illegally sold during transportation.
Officials said the tanker, carrying 9,000 litres of fuel, had a shortage of 2,000 litres. The manager admitted selling part of the fuel en route before reaching the destination.
Joypurhat: Fuel supply restricted
In Joypurhat, authorities decided to restrict fuel supply to vehicles without valid documents, including licences and registration.
Motorcycles without helmets will also be denied fuel, as part of measures to ensure fair distribution and improve road safety.
Narail: Dispute turns fatal
In Narail, a dispute over fuel supply turned deadly when a filling station manager was allegedly run over by a truck driver following an argument.
The victim, Nahid Sardar, died after the truck chased and hit him and his colleague on the Kalna–Jessore highway.
Police said legal action is underway, while locals demanded justice for what they described as a deliberate attack.
Experts warn that if the tanker workers’ strike continues and supply disruptions persist, transport services and goods movement could be severely affected across large parts of the country.
Authorities say negotiations are ongoing to resolve the strike, while enforcement drives have been intensified nationwide to prevent hoarding and stabilize supply.
However, the situation remains fragile, with growing pressure on both fuel distribution and transport systems.