Bangladesh launches first automated fuel depot in Cumilla operations

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has launched the country’s first fully automated petroleum depot at Mogbari Chowmuhani in Barura upazila of Cumilla.

BPC Chairman Md Amin Ul Ahsan inaugurated the facility on 17 December as the chief guest.

Addressing the programme, he said fuel loading at traditional depots relied heavily on manual processes, often resulting in discrepancies. At the new depot, the entire operation is automated, allowing vehicles to enter, drivers to use a card-based system, and fuel to be loaded without manual handling.

He noted that the depot’s location between Dhaka and Chattogram would significantly cut travel time and transportation costs.

Around 100 to 150 fuel tankers are expected to arrive daily, which will boost local economic activity and create employment opportunities, he added, describing the depot as an important driver of regional development.

Local fuel dealers said traders from Cumilla, Noakhali, Lakshmipur and Feni would benefit from lower transportation costs and expressed optimism about the facility’s overall impact.

Built at a cost of about Tk118 crore under the Dhaka–Chattogram Fuel Pipeline project, the depot operates on a fully touch-free system, using technology from fuel receipt to storage and distribution.

Project officials said Padma Oil PLC, Meghna Petroleum Limited and Jamuna Oil Company Limited will independently supply diesel, petrol and octane to their respective dealers from the depot, while overall supervision will be handled by Padma Oil PLC.

The facility receives petroleum products through a pipeline from Chattogram and supplies fuel to Cumilla, Lakshmipur, Feni and Noakhali. Situated about 16 kilometres from Cumilla city along the Cumilla–Chandpur regional highway, the 16.164-acre depot has storage capacities of 19,300 tonnes of diesel and 1,500 tonnes each of petrol and octane.