Dhaka, March 7 -- For the past two days, long queues of vehicles have been seen in front of Dhaka's filling stations. Cars, microbuses and motorcycles have been seen waiting late into the night for petrol and octane. As the day wears on, the lines grow longer. Fights have reportedly broken out over fuel.

However, those working at petrol pumps in Dhaka say that there is no shortage of petrol and octane in the country. However, over the last two days, panic buying over concerns of fuel shortages have, ironically, created a crisis. The government's three depots are unable to meet the increased demand.

Under the circumstances, the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has begun rationing fuel at the consumer level. According to the new gui...