Car owners across Bangladesh are facing rising costs and vehicle damage from widespread fuel adulteration that has quietly taken root in the country’s supply chain, prompting calls for the government to take swift and decisive action.
Drivers report sharp drops in mileage and corrosion in fuel tanks and engines, symptoms of chemicals being mixed with petrol and octane. Government official Hasan Murtaza said his hybrid Nissan X-Trail’s mileage has fallen from 8 to 9 kilometers per liter to just 5 to 6, despite regular maintenance. Mechanics say they now routinely repair rusted tanks and damaged carburetors in motorcycles that are only months old.
The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) oversees the country’s entire fuel supply through its subsidiaries Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna, which operate 47 depots across the country. Allegations have surfaced that some depots are mixing low-grade fuel and siphoning off portions under the guise of evaporation or operational losses.
Despite repeated complaints from pump owners and distributors, oversight remains weak. The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) fines filling stations for short-measuring fuel but does not test fuel quality, citing a lack of modern equipment. None of the three state fuel companies hold BSTI licenses, even though such certification is required by law.
Industry groups warn that poor-quality fuel is corroding vehicle tanks and damaging engines, imposing heavy costs on consumers and businesses. “The government cannot allow this to continue,” said one pump association leader. “Without testing and accountability at the depot level, the damage will only deepen.”
Energy analysts and consumer advocates say the crisis reflects institutional negligence and corruption that directly affects millions of vehicle owners. They urge the government to immediately enforce strict depot inspections, mandate regular fuel quality testing, and prosecute those responsible.
As prices and repair costs rise, Bangladeshis are left paying more for less, a situation that demands urgent and transparent intervention from the authorities.