Fuel stock remains stable as nationwide drives intensify against illegal hoarding

Bangladesh is maintaining a stable fuel reserve while the government continues nationwide drives against illegal hoarding to ensure an uninterrupted supply.

As of today (31 March), according to the latest data from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, the country's fuel reserves stand at 1,28,939 tonnes of diesel, 7,940 tonnes of octane, 11,431 tonnes of petrol and 44,609 tonnes of jet fuel, indicating a steady supply position to meet current demand.

Officials said the existing stock levels are adequate to sustain regular consumption, with supply chains operating normally across depots and retail outlets.

Alongside supply management, the government has intensified monitoring and enforcement through mobile courts throughout March to maintain discipline in the fuel market.

Between 3 March and 30 March, authorities conducted 3,559 drives across the country, filing 1,244 cases and imposing fines amounting to Tk84.51 lakh. In addition, 19 individuals were handed jail sentences for various violations related to illegal storage and irregularities.

During the same period, law enforcement teams recovered large quantities of illegally hoarded fuel, including 2,07,365 litres of diesel, 28,938 litres of octane and 60,002 litres of petrol, reflecting continued attempts at market manipulation.

Yesterday alone, mobile courts carried out 391 drives across all 64 districts, leading to 191 cases and fines totalling Tk9.35 lakh.

Courts also handed down prison sentences in several districts: one person in Satkhira received a two-month sentence, another in Chandpur was sentenced to one year, and one person in Gazipur received a one-month jail term.

Officials said such drives will continue in the coming days, with magistrates deployed nationwide to ensure uninterrupted supply and prevent artificial shortages created through hoarding or illegal trading.