A severe fuel shortage has disrupted lighter vessel operations at Chattogram Port, leaving foreign mother vessels stranded at the outer anchorage. Normally, about 1,200 lighter vessels transport goods from these large ships to various destinations across Bangladesh, but the number has dropped by half due to the diesel crisis. Only a few vessels are operating short routes, while most remain idle, severely slowing cargo unloading and creating artificial shortages of essential goods. Importers are also paying daily demurrage charges of thousands of dollars for delayed unloading.

Port officials said that 100 mother vessels were in port waters last Saturday, nearly double the usual number, with 27 waiting for unloading. The shortage of lighter vessels has particularly affected coal shipments for power plants, leaving three coal-laden mother vessels idle. Bangladesh-China Power Company Limited reported that its 1,320 MW plant in Patuakhali needs 935,000 liters of diesel monthly to maintain operations and has urged authorities to ensure supply.

Industry representatives warned that without immediate crisis management and fuel allocation, the situation could damage Bangladesh’s trade reputation and further strain the national economy.

Supporters of controversial businessman S Alam staged a large demonstration in front of Islami Bank’s head office in Motijheel, Dhaka, on Sunday morning, demanding that the bank’s ownership be returned to the fugitive businessman and that dismissed employees be reinstated. Participants, many from Patiya in Chattogram, included former staff of Islami Bank and five other Shariah-based banks once under S Alam’s control. Police were deployed to maintain order, and nearby roads were closed during the protest.

The demonstration followed a recent parliamentary amendment allowing former owners to regain control of banks previously taken over under an interim government ordinance. After S Alam’s followers left, depositors under the Islami Bank Customer Coordination Council held a counter rally at the same site, opposing any move to reinstate S Alam. They demanded his arrest and the recovery of allegedly embezzled funds, warning of resistance if he attempted to return.

Bank officials stated that reinstatement of dismissed employees depends on court rulings and Bangladesh Bank audits. They described the protest as an attempt to create unrest, noting that many participants were brought from outside Dhaka.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has decided to increase the supply of fuel across the country starting Monday, April 20, following a recent rise in fuel prices. According to a BPC notice issued on Sunday night, diesel and petrol supplies will rise by 10 percent, while octane supply will increase by 20 percent based on current monthly sales. BPC Director (Marketing) Md. Sabet Ali confirmed the decision, citing the current situation as the reason for the adjustment.

BPC data show that from April 1 to 18, a total of 307,188 tons of fuel were sold, including 208,822 tons of diesel, 2,379 tons of kerosene, 22,555 tons of petrol, 20,412 tons of octane, 30,965 tons of furnace oil, and 30,055 tons of jet fuel. On April 18 alone, 12,131 tons of diesel and smaller quantities of other fuels were sold. During the same period last year, total sales stood at 270,496 tons.

The supply increase follows the government’s April 18 decision to raise all fuel prices, with diesel now at 115 taka per liter and octane at 140 taka, after months of maintaining subsidies to control market volatility.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep concern over the sudden increase in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices announced by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC). In a statement issued to the media on Sunday, the party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, said that on April 19, BERC raised the retail price of a 12-kg LPG cylinder by Tk 212 to Tk 1,940. He warned that such a sharp rise would impose a heavy burden on ordinary consumers.

The statement noted that earlier, on April 2, the price had already been raised by Tk 387 to Tk 1,728 for the current month. Jamaat argued that two consecutive price hikes within a short period would make daily life unbearable, especially as fuel prices have also risen significantly. The party described the decision as against public interest and called for its immediate withdrawal.

Porwar added that the increase would particularly affect lower- and middle-income families, for whom LPG is an essential household fuel, as it would raise cooking and overall living costs.

Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam stated that the government is reviewing a proposal from DP World to operate the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chattogram Port. He emphasized that any decision will be made by safeguarding national interests and the welfare of port workers and employees. The minister made these remarks on Sunday after inspecting operational activities at the port.

Alam described the NCT as a fully functional and modern terminal with potential for further capacity expansion. He said the government is assessing whether to enhance the terminal’s capacity independently or through a foreign operator. Detailed analysis is underway to ensure that if foreign operators are involved, national interests remain protected.

He recalled that past attempts to appoint foreign operators at the terminal had sparked worker protests and even led to imprisonment of some employees. The minister assured that DP World’s proposal would be reviewed carefully, and if national interests outweigh other concerns, discussions will be held with workers to reach consensus. He also noted that allegations of past irregularities and corruption at the port will be investigated.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that the government will not accept any International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions that obstruct the protection of public interests. Speaking at his office in the Finance Ministry on Sunday after returning from the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings held in Washington from April 13 to 18, he said the IMF loan program was initiated during the Awami League’s tenure. He noted that while the program includes many conditions, some may not be acceptable to the current BNP-led elected government.

The minister clarified that the IMF program taken under the Awami League government will conclude in six to seven months, and any decision on a new program will be made later. Responding to questions about whether the introduction of the Family Card might affect IMF loan disbursement or conditions, he said the Family Card has no link to the IMF loan and has been widely praised for delivering economic benefits to the poor.

He emphasized that no donor agency’s conditions will be fulfilled at the expense of public welfare, and that development partners have positively received the Family Card initiative.

Experts at an energy conference in Dhaka on Sunday said Bangladesh must expand renewable energy production to overcome its worsening fuel crisis. They warned that the country’s heavy dependence on imported fuel has made the energy sector vulnerable, especially amid global oil price volatility caused by the ongoing US–Iran conflict. The discussion, held at the World Literature Centre, called for reducing VAT and taxes on renewable energy products to encourage investment.

Speakers noted that renewable sources currently account for only 2 to 3 percent of Bangladesh’s total electricity generation. They cautioned that failure to transition in time could deepen the energy crisis. Participants urged the government to adopt an effective master plan to reduce oil import dependence and ensure long-term energy security. They also highlighted the need to prevent corruption in future solar projects and to hold accountable those responsible for past irregularities.

The government’s target of producing 10,000 megawatts of renewable power was cited as a key step, but experts stressed the importance of skilled workforce development and sustained planning to achieve it.

Brunei’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Haris bin Osman, announced that Brunei is interested in importing aromatic rice from Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Sunday at a discussion organized by Nawab Salimullah Academy at the National Press Club. The ambassador also urged consideration for establishing a Brunei-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce to enhance bilateral trade cooperation.

He highlighted opportunities for expanding trade, direct foreign investment, and collaboration in education and agriculture between the two countries. Despite past setbacks due to natural disasters, he noted that Brunei could become a major market for Bangladeshi agricultural products such as mangoes and jackfruits. The ambassador emphasized that Bangladesh’s economic zones already attract Japanese and German companies, showing a favorable investment climate, though concerns remain over policy continuity.

Haris bin Osman added that ensuring a stable business environment could pave the way for direct Bruneian investment. He also called for more active roles from BIDA, EPB, and Bangladeshi embassies abroad in promoting trade fairs and attracting investors. He urged Bangladesh to finalize agreements on investment protection and double taxation avoidance to strengthen economic relations.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku announced that the government will continue comprehensive support for the development of Bangladesh’s poultry sector, aiming to elevate it to export level by 2030. Speaking as chief guest at a views-exchange meeting on the livestock sector held at a hotel in Dhaka, he emphasized the need for collective effort to move the country forward. The event was organized by the Bangladesh Poultry Industry Central Council.

The minister said that poultry farmers will be brought under the farmer card program, allowing them to access the same benefits as other agricultural producers. He stressed the importance of honesty and unity in serving the nation’s interests, warning that dishonesty would not be tolerated. Addressing production challenges, he noted that farmers currently sell eggs at a loss and assured that the government will help reduce production costs. He also urged vaccine importers to act responsibly and called for balance across all parts of the poultry value chain to avoid burdening consumers.

Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md. Delwar Hossain reaffirmed full government cooperation and pledged to minimize the influence of middlemen in the sector.

Bangladesh has launched drilling of its first deep exploration well at the Titas gas field in Brahmanbaria. The project was inaugurated on Sunday afternoon by Petrobangla Director (Finance) A.K.M. Mizanur Rahman at Budhal area of Sadar upazila. Once completed, the well is expected to add about 15 million cubic feet of gas per day to the national grid. The drilling, reaching a depth of 5,600 meters, will take around seven months and is being carried out by Chinese contractor CCDC.

The Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited (BGFCL), which operates Titas, currently supplies about 325 million cubic feet of gas daily from 22 wells. Due to long-term extraction, pressure and reserves have declined, prompting new exploration efforts. Based on 3D seismic survey results, the new well may contain 1 to 1.5 trillion cubic feet of gas. The total cost for two deep exploration wells at Titas and Bakhrabad fields is estimated at 5.94 billion taka.

Officials said successful completion could lead to seven more wells and significantly ease the country’s energy shortage. Petrobangla plans to drill 50 wells nationwide this year to strengthen energy security.

In Jamalganj upazila of Sunamganj, around 500 farmers voluntarily repaired an embankment in Pagna Haor on Sunday morning to protect their crops from rising rainwater. Continuous rainfall over the past week had caused parts of the haor to submerge, prompting farmers from Laxmipur village to reinforce the long internal embankment with soil and sandbags.

According to local observations, heavy rain and runoff from upstream areas led to waterlogging in low-lying parts of the haor. Farmers said that siltation in rivers, canals, and water bodies had worsened the flooding. To prevent further crop damage, they worked collectively without pay to strengthen the embankment.

Local leaders, including the upazila BNP joint convener and several union and community representatives, assisted the farmers during the repair effort.

In Mymensingh’s Fulbaria upazila, heavy vehicles continue to cross a bridge over the Kolmodoria River at Keshorganj Bazar despite an official ban. The upazila administration had declared the bridge extremely risky and prohibited all heavy vehicle movement, installing warning signs and iron barricades on both sides. However, trucks, tractors, and other heavy carriers are reportedly breaking the barricades and using the bridge daily.

Local residents allege that illegal lorries and tractors carrying bricks, sand, and timber are worsening the condition of the already expired bridge, raising fears of a major accident. Upazila Engineer Zobayer Hossain confirmed that the bridge is highly risky and said the matter has been reported to higher authorities, with a new bridge construction process underway. Acting Upazila Executive Officer Sheikh Taki Tajwar stated that the administration is investigating the violation and will take legal action against those responsible.

Residents have urged immediate and effective measures to stop heavy vehicle movement across the dangerous bridge to prevent potential disasters.

Despite an increase in fuel prices, petrol pumps across Barishal city saw long queues of vehicles on Sunday morning. Most pumps were either closed or running out of fuel, forcing drivers to wait for hours to collect limited quantities. Only a few stations were reportedly open, distributing fuel under a rationing system that allowed motorcycles to buy fuel worth 300 taka, Mahindra vehicles 500 taka, and private cars 1,000 taka.

According to the report, the retail prices of octane, petrol, and diesel in Barishal rose by 20, 19, and 15 taka per liter respectively, now selling at 140, 135, and 115 taka. Drivers expressed frustration over the rising costs and continued shortages, saying they still had to queue despite the price hike. Public transport drivers also noted that fares had not yet been increased to offset the higher fuel costs.

The situation indicates ongoing supply constraints and growing pressure on transport operators in Barishal following the latest fuel price adjustment.

A spotted deer that entered Khuriyakhali village in Sharankhola upazila of Bagerhat after being chased by a tiger was rescued and released back into the Sundarbans on Sunday morning. The deer swam across a river and entered the house of a local resident, Jamal Mia, around 8 a.m. Forest officials, members of the Wild Team, the Village Tiger Response Team, and local villagers worked together to safely capture the animal.

According to the Sharankhola field facilitator of the Wild Team, the deer was wet when it entered the house and was later handed over to the Forest Department. The Sharankhola Station Officer of the East Sundarbans confirmed that the rescued female deer weighed about 25 kilograms and was released near the range office around 10 a.m. He added that deer are generally timid animals and can die from shock, but the trained rescue team ensured its safe recovery.

The incident highlights the close proximity of human settlements to wildlife habitats in the Sundarbans and the importance of coordinated rescue efforts to protect both animals and residents.

Bangladesh’s Central Land Allocation Committee has approved several land acquisition proposals for key national development projects. The approvals were granted during the committee’s 155th meeting held in Dhaka on Sunday, chaired by Land Minister Md. Mizanur Rahman Minu. Among the approved projects are the establishment of 20 Fire Service and Civil Defence stations, including one acre of land for the Pubail Fire Station in Gazipur. Additional approvals include 12.1471 acres for the Dhaka (Kanchpur)-Sylhet-Tamabil Highway expansion and 13.4448 acres for the fourth phase of the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway.

During the meeting, the minister emphasized that while land acquisition is vital for national development, it must be carried out in compliance with existing laws and with minimal public hardship. He also instructed officials to remain vigilant about preserving agricultural land.

The meeting also reviewed district-level recommendations for land acquisitions exceeding 50 bighas, including proposals in Sylhet’s Beanibazar and Jaintapur upazilas under the Sylhet-Charkhai-Sheola Highway project, and in Chandpur’s Matlab North upazila under the Daudkandi-Goalmari-Sreeramchar-Matlab North Highway project.