Fuel shortage brings transport sector in Lakshmipur, Noakhali to near standstill
However, pump managers said the supply is expected to return to normal by night.
The transport sector in Lakshmipur and Noakhali districts has nearly come to a standstill due to an acute shortage of fuel.
Since this morning (16 March), most filling stations in Lakshmipur have run out of fuel, leaving transport workers and commuters struggling to manage their daily activities.
The situation was confirmed during visits to multiple filling stations in Lakshmipur town. However, pump managers said the supply is expected to return to normal by night.
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At Firoz Petrol Pump, Dharitri Petrol Pump and Florida Filling Station in Lakshmipur town, transport workers said large vehicles are currently receiving fuel worth Tk1,500, while motorcycles are being given fuel worth Tk200.
Since this morning, however, the supply has declined even further.
Motorcycle riders Junayed and Nizam, told The Business Standard that even fuel worth Tk200 cannot be obtained for most of the day.
In some places, limited quantities of fuel are supplied after iftar, but the amount is far below the demand, they said.
A similar situation has also been reported at filling stations in Begumganj, Noakhali Sadar and Sonaimuri upazilas of Noakhali district.
Md Abdus Salam, a small truck driver who had been standing in a queue for nearly 40 minutes, told TBS that the shortage is severely affecting his livelihood.
"I transport bricks for a living. Earlier, I used to carry three to four truckloads of bricks a day. Now I cannot even transport one truckload in a day," he said.
"Pumps are not providing fuel. I spent two hours visiting three pumps and finally got fuel worth Tk1,000. This will not be enough for a full day."
Meanwhile, a youth named Nakib Muhammad Rizwan wrote on Facebook, "After walking to three pumps, I bought 'liquid gold' worth Tk100.
"Billboards about development are being displayed across the country and inaugurations are taking place. But who knows the suffering of people who ride motorcycles or drive cargo trucks for their livelihood?" he wrote.
He added that the nearest pump from his area is about 18–19 kilometres away. Including the return trip, that is about 38 kilometres.
"The pump gives only Tk100 worth of fuel. By the time we buy the fuel and return home, it is already finished," he said.
Motorcycle rider Hasan Mahmud said petrol used to be available at roadside points earlier, but now fuel is unavailable even there.
"Across a 40-kilometre stretch, I found one person selling two litres of petrol. I bought it for Tk280," he added.
Mosharaf Hossain, manager of Firoz Filling Station, acknowledged the shortage.
"There is no point in hiding the fuel shortage. We are receiving less fuel, so we cannot supply more," he said.
"At the moment, we are prioritising our regular customers. For unfamiliar vehicles, we are reducing the amount supplied."
Md Azad, manager of Chandrogonj Florida Filling Station, said they supplied fuel until early morning before their stock ran out.
"Since morning, no vehicles have been able to receive fuel at our pump," he added.
