Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, told Parliament that the government is considering revising the power purchase agreement signed with India’s Adani Power Limited. The minister said the previous Awami League government had signed the deal at an abnormally high price. He made the statement on Thursday in response to a question from a member of Parliament during a session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

According to Tuku, the 2017 agreement with Adani Power (Jharkhand) Limited was reviewed by a national committee formed during the interim government, led by a retired Supreme Court judge. The committee included power and energy experts, legal specialists, economists, and chartered accountants, and also sought opinions from an international law firm specializing in international agreements. The committee’s report concluded that the deal was signed at an unusually high rate compared to domestic and international markets.

Based on the committee’s findings, the government is actively considering options such as seeking arbitration in an international court or renegotiating the contract with Adani Power.

Bangladesh currently holds a total of 255,018 tons of fuel oil in reserve, according to information released by the Energy Division on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The division’s latest data details the breakdown of the reserves across several fuel types, including diesel, kerosene, octane, petrol, furnace oil, jet fuel, and marine fuel.

According to the Energy Division, the reserves include 122,660 tons of diesel, 9,378 tons of kerosene, 9,021 tons of octane, 12,194 tons of petrol, 58,736 tons of furnace oil, 41,876 tons of jet fuel, and 1,153 tons of marine fuel. The figures reflect the current national stock levels of key petroleum products.

The report provides an updated snapshot of the country’s fuel inventory, offering insight into the distribution of different fuel types managed under the national energy system.

Rajshahi University’s electric car (e-car) transport service, launched to ease student commuting, has been shut down after only four months of operation. The service, introduced by the Rajshahi University Alumni Association (RUAA) on October 26 last year, faced losses, fare disputes, and mechanical failures. By the last week of March, all e-cars were withdrawn from service.

Initially, five e-cars were deployed, but two soon became inoperative due to mechanical faults. Drivers paid the company a daily fee of Tk 1,500 and kept the remaining income as wages. Passenger numbers declined over time, and disagreements arose over fare rates. The university administration attempted to set fixed stops and fares, but confusion persisted after the student union’s general secretary promised a Tk 5 fare within the campus.

E-car service manager Enayet Kabir Likhon said repeated discussions with RUAA failed to resolve the issues, and the operating company lost interest in continuing. RUAA’s general secretary, Professor Nizam Uddin, cited technical problems and road conditions as key causes but said new vehicles might be purchased soon for free campus transport if the university approves.

In Bangladesh’s parliament on Thursday, NCP lawmaker Abul Hasnat (Hasnat Abdullah) questioned the government over reported fuel shortages at petrol pumps across the country. He said that despite earlier assurances from the power and energy minister that there was no crisis, many pumps were closing, including in Sylhet, where long queues of vehicles were seen. Hasnat accused the government of ignoring the issue and urged the minister to acknowledge the problem and provide a timeline for resolving it.

In response, Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud stated that the government was supplying the usual daily amount of fuel to all pumps. He explained that since an incident in Iran, fuel sales had suddenly increased, causing stocks that previously lasted more than a day to sell out within hours. The minister attributed the visible queues to panic buying rather than a supply shortage, insisting that petrol deliveries continued daily.

The exchange highlighted growing public concern over fuel availability and the government’s efforts to reassure citizens about stable supply conditions.

After more than five decades, humans have once again embarked on a journey to the Moon. On Wednesday, April 1, a NASA rocket carrying four astronauts lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 p.m. local time. The mission, named Artemis-2, includes three American astronauts and one Canadian.

Reid Wiseman, a former U.S. Navy pilot and test pilot who spent 165 days aboard the International Space Station in 2014, is commanding the mission. Pilot Victor Glover, who previously served on the SpaceX Crew-1 mission, becomes the first Black astronaut to join a lunar mission. Mission specialist Christina Koch, known for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, will become the first woman to travel around the Moon. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, also a mission specialist, is the first from his country to take part in a lunar mission.

The Artemis-2 mission marks a major milestone in NASA’s renewed lunar exploration program, paving the way for future human landings on the Moon.

Iran approved safe passage for six Bangladeshi fuel-carrying ships through the Hormuz Strait based on information provided by Bangladesh. However, five of those shipments have already been canceled by global suppliers. Petrobangla officials said the list sent to Tehran was prepared using outdated plans and documents that did not account for force majeure declarations by QatarEnergy and Oman’s OQ Trading. Both companies suspended all supplies in early March following the start of the Iran war.

The energy division’s list had included five LNG cargoes scheduled for April—four from QatarEnergy and one from Excelerate Energy. Petrobangla Chairman Arfanul Haque confirmed that these shipments are no longer valid, as suppliers extended their suspensions until at least May 8. He questioned why the canceled shipments were still listed for Iranian clearance.

An energy division official admitted that the outdated data was sent because the duration of the force majeure was unknown. The division’s joint secretary, Monir Hossain Chowdhury, said crude oil shipments were unaffected and that Petrobangla was instructed to explore whether LNG deliveries could still proceed.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has increased the retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for April, raising the cost of a 12-kilogram cylinder by Tk 387. The new price, announced on Thursday, April 2, 2026, sets the 12kg cylinder at Tk 1,728, up from the previous Tk 1,341. The adjustment applies to all cylinder sizes, with corresponding new rates published by the regulator.

According to the BERC announcement, the revised prices include Tk 792 for a 5.5kg cylinder, Tk 1,801 for a 12.5kg cylinder, Tk 2,161 for a 15kg cylinder, Tk 2,305 for a 16kg cylinder, Tk 2,593 for an 18kg cylinder, and Tk 2,881 for a 20kg cylinder. Larger cylinders now range from Tk 3,169 for 22kg to Tk 6,428 for 45kg. Additionally, the consumer price of autogas has been set at Tk 79.77 per liter, inclusive of VAT.

The new rates take effect immediately for April, reflecting BERC’s monthly price adjustment mechanism for LPG products in the domestic market.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu announced that 445 shelters have been identified across Dhaka North and South City Corporations to prepare for potential earthquakes. He shared the information on Thursday afternoon after a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat.

The minister stated that the government is considering including earthquake awareness in the national education curriculum as part of broader preparedness efforts. Teachers will also be brought under training programs to enhance their capacity in disaster response. In addition, a draft list of 145,000 volunteers from various organizations has been prepared to assist in managing post-earthquake situations.

These initiatives reflect the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen disaster readiness and community resilience in the capital city.

Malaysia will introduce a work-from-home policy for government agencies, government-linked organizations, and state-related companies starting April 15, as part of efforts to address the global energy crisis. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the decision during a briefing, noting that detailed implementation guidelines will be released soon. He emphasized that the measure is part of a broader strategy to safeguard national energy security and protect citizens from sudden price hikes.

The government decided to act preemptively rather than wait for the impact of ongoing Middle East conflicts on households and businesses. The initiative falls under the country’s “Public Support Initiative.” Anwar warned that the global situation may worsen before improving and that recovery could take time. Malaysia has already implemented several measures, including a monthly fuel quota of 200 liters under the “Budi Madani 95” program and full implementation of subsidized diesel in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan.

According to the prime minister, these steps aim to reduce the impact of rising international oil prices and ensure subsidies reach intended beneficiaries. The government currently spends about 4 billion ringgit per month to manage fuel price pressures and protect consumers.

Honey collectors have started their seasonal honey harvesting in the Sundarbans after receiving 14-day government permits. Beginning on Wednesday, April 1, they entered the forest in groups through designated points under the supervision of the Forest Department. Despite following official procedures, collectors expressed concern over possible bandit activity, wildlife attacks, and natural disasters during their work.

According to local sources, banditry has long been a serious problem in the Sundarbans, with past incidents of fishermen and honey collectors being kidnapped for ransom. Although law enforcement operations have improved the situation, locals say fears of renewed bandit activity persist. Bagerhat District Forest Officer Rezaul Karim stated that necessary instructions have been issued to ensure the collectors’ safety, with forest guards maintaining constant monitoring and coordination with law enforcement agencies.

Local residents emphasized that as long as the threat of forest bandits remains, honey collectors continue to face significant risks and called for stronger protective measures.

Between March 14 and March 28, 2026, a total of 373 road accidents across Bangladesh caused 298 deaths and over 2,000 injuries, according to data compiled from hospitals and media reports. The Road Safety Foundation disclosed these figures in a press release issued on April 1. Among the victims were 46 women and 67 children. Motorcycle accidents accounted for nearly 39 percent of the fatalities, while 47 pedestrians and 36 drivers or assistants also lost their lives. Additionally, 11 waterway accidents killed nine people, and 29 railway accidents caused 41 deaths.

The report showed that the Chattogram Division recorded the highest number of accidents and deaths, with 93 incidents and 74 fatalities, while Barishal Division had the lowest with 12 deaths. More than 10 million people traveled from Dhaka and about 40 million moved within the country during the Eid period. Despite reduced congestion, passengers faced overcharging on roads, railways, and waterways.

The Foundation recommended restructuring the National Road Safety Council, enforcing vehicle safety technology, removing outdated vehicles, and improving driver training to ensure safer transport nationwide.

Transport drivers and workers blocked the Sylhet-Sunamganj highway on Thursday morning after failing to obtain fuel despite waiting in line. The protest began around 10:30 a.m. when they felled trees to obstruct the road near several petrol pumps in Sunamganj, causing severe traffic congestion and passenger suffering. Police later intervened, assuring that the pumps would reopen within an hour, leading the protesters to withdraw the blockade and restore traffic flow.

At the Mallikpur Cynthia Filling Station, the counters were closed and no staff were present, forcing many drivers to wait or leave without fuel. Similar conditions were reported at Balaka and Shafeda filling stations. Although there was no gas shortage, the blockade disrupted gas supply to vehicles as well.

Drivers expressed frustration over the sudden closure of pumps without notice, saying it affected their daily income and ability to repay vehicle loans. Police officials confirmed discussions with pump owners, who promised to resume operations shortly.

Bangladesh’s Joint Secretary and spokesperson of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, Monir Hossain Chowdhury, announced that the country will face no fuel shortage in April. He made the statement at a press conference held at the Secretariat on April 2, where he said Bangladesh remains secure in its energy supply for the month.

Chowdhury explained that one of six ships recently released by Iran through the Strait of Hormuz carries crude oil, and its arrival will ensure uninterrupted operation at the Eastern Refinery. He also reported that from March 3 to the present, authorities have recovered 372,388 liters of fuel oil through nationwide drives, including 25,537 liters recovered on April 1.

The official’s assurance comes as part of the government’s ongoing monitoring and recovery efforts to maintain fuel stability across the country during April.

The Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has announced that all shops, commercial establishments, and shopping malls across the country, including the capital Dhaka, will close by 8 PM each night. The decision, disclosed in a statement on April 2, 2026, aims to support government efforts to conserve electricity and fuel amid the ongoing international energy crisis. Hotels, pharmacies, essential service stores, and fresh markets are exempt from the directive.

The association said the decision followed a joint meeting of the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association and the Dhaka Metropolitan Shop Owners Association’s standing committee. Earlier, on March 15, a meeting chaired by the State Minister for Power was held with shop owners and market representatives, where traders pledged to reduce decorative lighting by 40 percent in exchange for uninterrupted power supply.

The government is also considering additional measures such as extending weekly holidays, promoting remote work, and adjusting school schedules to manage energy demand more effectively.

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.