Bikers queue for hours as fuel crisis hits Rajshahi

Long queues of customers have been seen at various filling stations across Rajshahi division amid a fuel oil shortage crisis. The same scene was witnessed on Friday as well. From morning, long lines of bikers were observed at different filling stations in Rajshahi city.

Drivers have complained about not getting oil as per their demand. Abdul Karim said that in some places, several filling stations have temporarily closed down after running out of oil. At stations where oil is available, it is being sold in limited quantities.

According to the Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners Association, there are a total of 279 filling stations across eight districts of Rajshahi division. For the past three days, these stations have faced a shortage in petrol and octane supply. Filling station owners are not giving more than Tk 200 worth of fuel to motorcycle riders.

The fuel shortage issue in the northern district of Rajshahi came to light from Thursday morning. On that day, most filling stations in the city stopped giving fuel to bikers as per their demand. Some stations started giving a maximum of Tk 200 worth of fuel, and in some places Tk 500 worth.

Shahjaman, a resident of Durgapur upazila in Rajshahi, said that on Thursday night, he managed to get only Tk 1,000 worth of petrol after visiting three filling stations. He got Tk 500 worth from one station and Tk 250 each from two stations. He also said he did not get fuel as per his demand anywhere.

Biker Mazharul Islam Shanto was spoken to at Nayan Filling Station in the Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) area. He said he needs to use his bike every day, so he is trying to fill his tank by visiting various pumps.

Abdul Jalil, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners Association for Rajshahi division, said the supply problem has occurred due to the impact of the Iran war. For the past three days, filling stations have not been getting oil as per demand. As a result, pumps cannot sell oil as required. Several filling stations have already closed down due to lack of oil. At places where oil is available, it is being given in small quantities.

He further said that panic among people has led to a rush to buy oil. The situation has become such that even those who do not use their bikes much are coming and asking for Tk 1,000 worth of oil. Again, those who ride more are visiting multiple pumps to fill their tanks and storing it at home. This is making the crisis appear even more acute. However, he could not confirm when the situation will return to normal.