A severe fuel shortage has hit Rangpur, mirroring conditions across Bangladesh, with long queues forming at petrol pumps as motorists and residents wait for petrol, octane, and diesel. Many people were seen carrying bottles and jerrycans to collect fuel, while pump owners, workers, and administrative staff struggled to manage the crowds. Local reports indicate that several pumps have limited supply, forcing some to buy fuel at higher prices in the open market.

Consumers and pump workers alleged that a syndicate is deliberately creating an artificial crisis to sell fuel at inflated prices. They claimed that large quantities of petrol, octane, and diesel are being hoarded in brick kilns and sold illegally. Some transport owners said that despite adequate reserves at depots, distribution has been restricted. A pump owners’ association leader alleged that influential individuals are forcibly taking fuel from pumps and reselling it at higher rates.

District Commissioner Enamul Ahsan stated that magistrate-led drives are ongoing to identify and penalize those hiding fuel stocks. According to official data, 85 pumps in the district held limited petrol, octane, and kerosene reserves, but no diesel stock remained.