Bangladesh is experiencing a severe fuel shortage with no sign of improvement, leaving vehicle owners and drivers struggling to obtain petrol and diesel. Many filling stations in Dhaka and across the country remain closed most of the day, causing a sharp decline in road traffic. Despite this, the government insists that it has 192,919 tons of fuel in reserve and has approved the import of an additional 150,000 tons. Officials claim the supply is stable and that 25 percent more fuel is being imported compared to last year.

The government attributes the crisis to illegal hoarding, black market trading, and panic buying following regional tensions. Authorities have conducted 3,559 raids, recovering nearly 296,000 liters of fuel and imposing fines and jail terms. However, petrol pump owners dispute the government’s claims, saying they receive less than half their required supply and face unrest and security threats at stations.

To ease the shortage, the government has approved emergency purchases of 260,000 tons of fuel and is seeking U.S. approval to import six lakh tons from Russia, while maintaining domestic prices through subsidies.