MYMENSINGH — Most filling stations in Mymensingh have effectively shut down during the Eid holidays as fuel supplies have been disrupted, leaving long lines of vehicles at the few stations still open, residents said.
Many pumps have run out of stock and closed, and at those that remain open, drivers have waited hours only to leave empty-handed. Many stations have hung signs reading “Out of Stock” or “No Fuel.”
The scene was observed Tuesday, March 24, at various filling stations in Mymensingh city’s Police Line and Bypass Mor areas, as well as in Nandail, Muktagacha, Phulbaria, Trishal and Bhaluka upazilas.
Industry sources said the crisis was caused by the inability to bring in new fuel during the Eid holidays. Pump operators said many stations had to close because the fuel brought in before Eid had run out, the sources said. Vehicles have already been sent to depots to bring fresh supplies, and sales will resume once shipments arrive, they said.
Motorcycle and other drivers have been hit hard by the shortage. Riaz, a truck driver from the Hazaribagh area, said he had traveled to Bhaluka with a load of watermelons from Patuakhali and had visited about 35 pumps without finding fuel. “Where it’s available, they’re not giving more than 5 liters,” he said.
Mokhles, a resident of the Meduari area of Bhaluka, said he was having to buy fuel on the black market at higher prices because the pumps had none. Petrol is selling there for 150 to 200 taka per liter, he said.
Ramzan, a resident of the Amirabari area of Trishal, said he had visited nearly every pump along the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway without finding fuel. Quick government action is needed to ease the crisis, he said.
Raihan Habib, a resident of Mymensingh Sadar, gave the same account, saying octane could not be found anywhere from Tarakanda to Mymensingh, although it was available on the black market.
Mostafa, an employee at a CNG filling station in Bhaluka, said gas and diesel were available but octane was not. Shaon, an assistant account manager, said octane could not be provided to customers because of the lack of supply.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report