Petrol Pump Owners Propose Daily 11-Hour Shutdown
The decision, involving an 11-hour nightly shutdown, was discussed during a high-level meeting on fuel supply and market stability held on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
The association cited critical logistical hurdles and financial losses as the primary drivers behind the move to limit operating hours:
Inadequate Supply: Pump owners claim they are receiving significantly less fuel from depots than required to meet daily public demand.
Logistical Inefficiency: The association highlighted the rising cost of transportation, noting that tankers are often sent with "partial loads" rather than full chambers, which increases the per-liter overhead cost for dealers.
Operational Losses: Running pumps during late-night hours with low stock is reportedly becoming financially unsustainable for many station owners.
To avoid a total collapse of the fuel distribution network, the BPPOA has placed several demands before the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources:
Full-Chamber Supply: A mandate to ensure that tankers are filled to capacity before dispatch to reduce transport wastage.
District-Level Coordination: Implementing a synchronized distribution system among pumps within the same district to ensure equitable stock allocation.
Emergency Subsidy: Reviewing the commission rates for dealers to offset the impact of the "Hormuz Shock" on local fuel prices.
If implemented, the nightly closure will severely impact long-haul goods transport, emergency services, and early-morning commuters. Transport leaders have already expressed concern that an 11-hour window without fuel will lead to massive gridlocks at pumps during the daytime and further drive up the prices of essential commodities.
The fuel scarcity in Bangladesh is part of a broader regional energy crisis triggered by the March 2026 conflict in the Middle East. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively blocked for most commercial tankers, Bangladesh has faced a 40% reduction in crude oil imports, leading to the current rationing and supply chain disruptions.
