RAJSHAHI, Mar 10: A sudden and severe fuel crisis has emerged across Rajshahi metropolitan city and the entire division. Due to a decreased supply of petrol, octane, and diesel, long queues have formed at various filling stations in the city.
Many pumps have been seen temporarily suspending sales after running out of fuel, while others are selling limited quantities. This has caused extreme suffering for the general public and vehicle drivers.
Over the past few days, drivers of motorcycles, private cars, and CNG-run vehicles have been seen waiting in lines for hours to get fuel in different areas of the city. Many drivers have complained that they are unable to get the desired amount of fuel even after visiting multiple filling stations. It has also been reported that some places are not selling fuel worth more than Tk 100 to Tk 300.
Local sources say long lines of motorcycles are seen at various filling stations in Rajshahi city from the morning to collect fuel. In some places, pumps have been temporarily closed after fuel stocks ran out. This has increased the hardship for working people, goods transporters, and drivers of passenger vehicles.
Saiful Islam, a motorcyclist from the Bhatapara area of the city, said, "I had to go to three pumps to get fuel. I got Tk 200 worth from one place and Tk 100 worth from another. I couldn't fill my tank completely. This is causing us great suffering."
Another motorcyclist mentioned that he uses his motorcycle daily to go to work. But for several days, he has not been able to get enough fuel even after waiting in line for hours. As a result, many are having to rely on alternative transport.
On a visit to the front of M/s Habib Filling Station, opposite the Shah Makhdum Airport, it was seen that a rope had been tied and fuel sales were temporarily suspended. When asked, a sales assistant said, "The demand for fuel here is high. But due to the supply not matching the demand, we cannot give fuel to vehicles. We are giving a maximum of Tk 100 worth of fuel to motorcycles and Tk 300 worth to Mahindra vehicles. Now the pump has been closed as the fuel has run out."
According to sources in the filling station owners' association, there are about 279 filling stations in eight districts of Rajshahi Division. However, for the past few days, there has been a shortage in the supply of petrol and octane to these stations. As a result, the crisis has suddenly become acute.
A leader of the Petrol Pump Owners' Association said that the supply of fuel has been disrupted due to the international situation and some problems in the supply system. Additionally, panic among the people has led many to try to buy and hoard extra fuel. This sudden surge in demand has intensified the crisis further.
Abdul Jalil, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners' Association for Rajshahi Division, said, "Supply problems have arisen due to the impact of the Iran war. For the last three days, filling stations have not been getting fuel according to demand. As a result, pumps cannot sell fuel as required. Several filling stations have already closed down due to lack of fuel. The ones that have fuel are selling it in small quantities."
He added, "Panic among the people has created a rush to buy fuel. The situation has reached a point where people who don't even use their bike much are coming and asking for Tk 1,000 worth of fuel. Again, those who ride bikes more are visiting multiple pumps, filling their tanks, and storing fuel at home. This is making the crisis appear more severe."
Meanwhile, due to rumours of a possible fuel crisis and price hike in the country, many are trying to fill their tanks in advance. As a result, like in other cities, filling stations in Rajshahi are also witnessing overwhelming crowds. To manage the situation, fuel is being sold in limited quantities in some areas, and in some places, sales are being conducted under the surveillance of law enforcement agencies.
Regarding this, concerned officials say the situation will gradually return to normal once the supply is restored. However, they are urging the general public not to panic unnecessarily and to buy fuel according to their needs in the current situation.
