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Published : 10 Apr 2026, 05:45 PM
Dhaka has begun testing an app-only fuel distribution system at two filling stations, offering higher allocations to registered users, but the digital push has yet to ease the capital’s long, slow-moving queues.
From Friday, motorists at Tejgaon’s Trust Filling Station and the Sonar Bangla Filling Station near Asadgate started receiving fuel through the “Fuel Pass” app, introduced to bring discipline and transparency to distribution amid supply pressure.
At Sonar Bangla, authorities announced that from Saturday, no fuel will be sold without the app, signalling a shift towards fully digital access.
At Trust Filling Station, a separate queue has been opened for app users, who can receive fuel worth up to Tk 1,200, compared with Tk 1,000 for others.
At Sonar Bangla, however, there is no dedicated line; app users receive up to Tk 1,000, while non-app users are limited to Tk 500.
The Energy and Mineral Resources Division had earlier said the pilot would begin Thursday at the two stations.
Developed by the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), the system requires users to scan a QR code to receive fuel based on a fixed allocation.
In the first phase, the service is limited to motorcycle riders with “Ha” and “La” series registration plates.
If successful, it will be gradually expanded nationwide for all vehicles.
Each user is assigned a unique QR code, which can be scanned at pumps.
Those without smartphones can register online, download, and print the code for use.
The rollout comes as fuel shortages -- linked to tensions in the Middle East -- have triggered long queues at stations across Dhaka and beyond.
Although users began registering and visiting the two pumps from Thursday, no additional benefits were offered that day.
By Friday afternoon, the motorcycle queue at Sonar Bangla had stretched nearly 1.5km.
Volunteers in yellow T-shirts were seen assisting users with registration, while repeated loudspeaker announcements warned that from Saturday, fuel would not be sold without the app.
Fuad, a student identified by a single name, said: “The government said fuel would be available via the app from Thursday, but there’s no separate line here.”
“After standing in this 1.5-km queue, showing the QR code gets you an extra Tk 500 -- making it Tk 1,000 in total. But it’s good that from Saturday, no one will get fuel without the app. This would be better if applied at all pumps.”
At Trust Filling Station, the app users’ line stretched in the opposite direction up to the Bijoy Sarani intersection.
Riders said waiting times remained similar despite the separate queue, though they received an additional Tk 200 worth of fuel.
Fuel station worker known only as Naim said, “App users are given fuel worth Tk 1,200, while others get up to Tk 1,000.”
Another rider, Shovon Hasan said: “They’ve made a separate line for the app, but it doesn’t move any faster.”
