JOYPURHAT, Mar 31: Motorcycle owners in Joypurhat are facing extreme difficulties due to the prolonged shortage of fuel. Long hours spent in queues often end in frustration as drivers fail to secure the necessary petrol or diesel.
The crisis has now begun affecting the motorcycle market itself, with buyers losing interest in purchasing new bikes. As a result, showroom sales have plummeted, dealing a heavy blow to local motorcycle businesses.
According to sources, out of Joypurhat's 20 fuel stations, only a handful are currently dispensing fuel, while most remain closed due to the shortage. At the few operational pumps, hundreds of motorcyclists line up from early morning, waiting for hours. Authorities have also made it mandatory for riders to present their motorcycle registration cards, driving licenses, and helmets to obtain fuel, adding further pressure on ordinary riders. This regulation has had a negative impact on motorcycle sales, although the local BRTA office has not seen a significant increase in registration or license applications.
Ram Krishna Poddar, Motorcycle Inspector of the BRTA Joypurhat Circle, said the district has over 50,000 fuel-dependent motorcycles, of which more than 15,000 are unregistered, and many drivers lack valid licenses. Currently, fuel is not being provided without showing a registration card, license, and helmet at fuel stations. Despite this, BRTA has not seen a surge in applications, with only 29 motorcycles registered in the past 10 days, and very few new license applications. However, he noted that such fuel restrictions could drive more people to register vehicles and apply for licenses in the future.
The fuel shortage has caused a severe slump in Joypurhat's motorcycle showrooms. On-site visits to various showrooms revealed that customer footfall has dropped by more than half since news of the shortage spread. Where weekly sales used to be significant, they have now fallen to just one-third. Even during the Eid season, sales have been far below last year's figures. Despite discounts ranging from Tk 2,000 to 20,000, buyers are reluctant to make purchases. Dealers warn that if fuel supply is not normalized soon, long-term stagnation could grip the local motorcycle market.
At the Friends Motors showroom, which sells Yamaha motorcycles, management said January sales were around 50 bikes, February sales 40, and Eid month sales reached 70. However, in the 3-4 days after Eid, no motorcycles were sold due to the fuel shortage.
Shyamal Kumar Ghosh, owner of Honda showroom A-One Impex, said, "We usually sell over 100 motorcycles during Eid, but this year only 70 were sold. In the seven days after Eid, only three motorcycles were sold, although we expected about 15. Even with offers of Tk 2,000-20,000 discounts, buyers are not coming. Fuel is only being provided if registration and driving licenses are presented, which is affecting sales significantly."
Mehedi Hasan, owner of Hasan Trading, which sells Bajaj motorcycles, said, "During previous Eid seasons, we used to sell 150-200 motorcycles, but this year only 41 were sold. Joypurhat is an agriculturally dependent area; people buy motorcycles with proceeds from crops like potatoes and rice. But this year, low crop prices combined with the fuel shortage has drastically reduced sales." Similar concerns were raised by Tariqul Islam of Yanat Traders (Bajaj) and Jahangir Alam, manager of Fahim Motors (Hero Honda).
Hamim Hossain, Sales Executive at Nawa Russell Trading (Suzuki motorcycles), said, "There have been almost no sales in the past few days. People don't even come to see bikes. During Eid, a Tk 10,000 discount helped us sell 62 motorcycles, and the offer remains, but post-Eid there are no customers. Fuel shortage is the main reason. Without registration, new bikes cannot get fuel at pumps, further discouraging buyers."
The fuel shortage has also impacted the sales of irrigation machines in the open market. Delwar Hossain, owner of Bengal Machineries, said, "We used to sell 4-5 irrigation machines per day, but none have been sold in the past few days. Customers don't even come to inquire about prices. All machinery dealers are facing the same problem. We urge authorities to restore normal fuel supply as soon as possible."
Joypurhat Deputy Commissioner Al-Mamun Mia told reporters that fuel will not be supplied at pumps unless motorcyclists show their registration cards, driving licenses, and helmets. Twenty tag officers have been assigned to monitor the activities of every filling station, ensuring proper management of fuel sales.
