Govt lifts fuel rationing today to ease Eid exodus

The government has decided to suspend fuel rationing on petrol, octane and diesel ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, in a bid to ease travel and stabilise supply during the busy holiday period.
Officials at the Energy and Mineral Resources Division confirmed that a formal notification would be issued today, allowing fuel sales to resume under normal conditions until further notice.
“We have decided to lift the rationing for now. Fuel supply and sales will continue as they did before the crisis began,” said Monir Hossain Chowdhury, joint secretary (operations) at the division. 
He added that the decision had been taken in light of the upcoming Eid exodus, when millions leave major cities to return to their hometowns.
A press briefing is scheduled at the ministry on Sunday morning.
Fuel rationing was imposed on 6 March after motorists began purchasing unusually large quantities amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Motorcycles were restricted to two litres of petrol or octane per day, while sports utility vehicles and microbuses were allowed 20-25 litres. Pickups and local buses could purchase 70-80 litres, with long-distance buses, trucks and container carriers limited to 200-220 litres daily.
A few days later, limits were slightly relaxed, including an increase for ride-sharing drivers to five litres and a reduction in overall rationing from 25% to 15%. 
Officials said the measures helped curb panic buying and maintain supply during a period of heightened uncertainty.
The rationing followed concerns over potential global supply disruptions linked to conflict in the Middle East and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments.
Energy analysts note Bangladesh remains vulnerable to such shocks due to its reliance on imported fuel.
The country’s only state-owned refinery, Eastern Refinery PLC in Chattogram, holds around 100,000 tonnes of crude oil, enough to sustain operations for 20–22 days at current processing levels. The refinery produces diesel, petrol, octane, furnace oil and other petroleum products, which are distributed nationwide through companies including Padma Oil Company PLC, Meghna Petroleum Limited, and Jamuna Oil Company Limited.
Eastern Refinery Managing Director Sharif Hasnat said existing crude stocks could support production for several weeks but warned that delays in new shipments could strain operations. 
“A significant portion of crude oil imports passes through the Strait of Hormuz. If tensions escalate and shipments are delayed, refinery operations could face pressure,” he said. 
However, he added that the majority of Bangladesh’s fuel is imported in refined form, reducing immediate supply risks.