RAJSHAHI, Apr 22: The increase in fuel oil prices has created instability in the raw material transport sector in Rajshahi.
With diesel prices rising by Tk 15 per litre, truck rental from Rajshahi to Dhaka has increased by Tk 4,000 to Tk 5,000. To send vegetables to the distant districts of Chattogram and Sylhet, traders now have to pay nearly Tk 10,000 more than before. This has left farmers and traders in a difficult situation.
According to sources in the transport sector, before the diesel price hike, it cost Tk 20,000 to Tk 21,000 to send a truck from Rajshahi to Dhaka. Currently, that rental has increased to Tk 24,000-25,000. Similarly, for Sylhet and Chattogram, the rental has now reached Tk 40,000, compared to the previous Tk 30,000-32,000.
Visiting the Nawhata market in Paba Upazila on Monday afternoon, it was seen that loading of vegetable sacks onto trucks had been ongoing since before noon. Vegetable trader Md. Rippon said, "Earlier, it cost Tk 160 to send one sack of goods to Dhaka; now it has reached Tk 250. Because the truck owners have increased the fare, we are unable to send goods to many places. As a result, vegetable prices are dropping in the market, and farmers are not getting fair prices."
Another trader, Sohag Ali, said that transport costs per kilogram of vegetables have increased by at least Tk 1. He noted that this major change in rental came within just two to three days of the fuel price hike.
Truck owner Md. Ali Sardar said, "With the diesel price increasing by Tk 15 per litre, there is no alternative but to raise the fare. A truck requires about 150 litres of diesel for a round trip to Dhaka, which has created a significant burden on owners."
He added that not only the price hike but also the fuel shortage has complicated the situation. Even after standing in long lines at pumps, they are not getting the required amount of fuel.
Truck driver Mithun said that earlier it cost Tk 13,000 to fill a tank, but now it costs Tk 17,000. Due to insufficient fuel at the pumps, there is also a risk of vehicles breaking down midway.
Azad Sarkar, the lessee of Nawhata market, said that raw materials worth approximately Tk 25-30 lakh are supplied daily from this market to various parts of the country. He expressed hope that although the fuel crisis has caused some disruption, the situation will soon return to normal.
Meanwhile, long lines of trucks were also seen at filling stations in the Nawdapara Amchattar area of the city. Drivers complained that even after waiting for hours, there is no guarantee of getting fuel, which is making the supply system even more difficult.
