The picture (left) shows the fuel depot at Fatullah in Narayanganj and (right) motorists queue along a road in the capital's Mirpur Kalshi area on Saturday, as long lines persist daily despite government claims of adequate fuel reserves. — FE/bdnews24.com Amid long queues at filling stations and rising panic buying, authorities have moved to tighten fuel distribution by expanding the pilot phase of the Fuel Pass BD application beyond the capital.
The move aims to bring greater transparency and control to the retail fuel market as demand pressures intensify.
Under the expanded system, motorcycle owners in Dhaka, Chandpur, Chattogram, Barishal, Khulna, Rajshahi and Mymensingh, along with their respective metropolitan areas, are eligible to register for app-based fuel access.
The expansion marks a significant step towards a more regulated and digitised distribution framework.
The system came into effect from Saturday at 18 filling stations across the districts, allowing registered motorcycles to access fuel through an app-based mechanism.
The Energy and Mineral Resources Division launched the QR code-based application earlier this month to make the country's fuel supply system more transparent, efficient and modern.
Officials said the phased rollout is part of a broader plan to gradually integrate the entire country into the Fuel Pass BD network.
Once fully implemented, the initiative is expected to create a centralised database of fuel consumers, improve transparency in fuel transactions and strengthen regulatory oversight in the downstream petroleum sector.
Meanwhile, long queues have formed at filling stations across the capital as panic buying intensifies, even as the government maintains that fuel supplies remain adequate.
Drivers of all types of vehicles are facing hours-long waits, reflecting heightened anxiety over potential shortages.
Authorities have moved to ease the pressure by lifting sales caps and expanding digital monitoring measures, but sector insiders say surging demand and stockpiling behaviour continue to strain distribution.
"I refuelled my car after waiting nearly three hours," said Md Al Amin, a private car driver, speaking to The Financial Express (FE) near M/S HK Filling Station at T&T Colony School and College in Motijheel.
"I refuelled my bike after waiting around two and a half hours," said Md Shahajahan, a motorcyclist, at Pubali Filling Station in Motijheel.
Petrol pump owners attributed the long queues to consumer panic. They said a section of motorcyclists is aggravating the situation by purchasing extra fuel for future use.
They added that many bikers, particularly ride-sharing operators, are stockpiling petrol at home out of fear of supply disruptions.
The government has withdrawn a recently introduced cap on sales at the consumer level in a bid to curb panic buying.
However, petrol pump owners said the move has proved insufficient in the face of unusually high demand. Meanwhile, the government has launched an anti-hoarding campaign, deploying mobile courts across the country to stabilise the distribution system.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com
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