Baghabari fuel depots run out of supplies

Tank lorries queue for diesel at Baghabari depot in Sirajganj yesterday (left) and a fuel-carrying barge stuck up in an underwater shoal in Padma in Nakalia. PHOTO: STAR

Fuel-carrying barges can not reach Baghabari ghat due to fall in Jamauna water in Pabna, officials of the three companies at Baghabari said yesterday.

Officials of Padma, Neghna and Jamuna oil depots at Baghabari said three barges of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) with about 90 lakh litres of diesel remained stuck up in underwater shoals on Jamuna river near Nakalia in Pabna district since Sunday.

This correspondent yesterday visited Nakalia and saw the barges stranded in Jamuna shoals.

Anisur Rahman, Master of MV Jarina and Abul Hashem, Master of MV Faysal said that, their barges faced navigation problem on Padma in Hasail area in Munshiganj first. Now their barges are stuck up at Nakalia.

In Sirajganj, most of the fuel pumps stopped sale on Monday. Some pumps owners said they procured small quantities from Parbotipur depot. This involved higher cost, they claimed.

While talking to this correspondent yesterday, some pump owners and employees said that, their tank lorries returned empty from Baghabari after waiting in long queues as stock with Padma, Meghna and Jamuna oil companies were exhausted.

Taking the advantage of disruption in supply, some dishonest fuel dealers who stocked diesel earlier, have increased prices by Tk 2 to Tk 3 per litre, they said.

Some transport owners and workers said they bought diesel from some unauthorised dealers and traders at higher prices.

When asked about the price hike, some pump owners seeking anonymity said they increased the price as carrying cost rose for bringing fuel from other depots.

Abul Bashar, in-charge of Jamuna depot in Bagabari, said movement of oil tankers and barges are obstructed on Jamuna channel near Nakalia, Pechakola and Mohonganj due to shallow water in Padma and they can not reach Baghabari Ghat on schedule. This is creating short supply and scarcity, he added.

The problem will turn acute if the Jamuna channel is not dredged immediately. The water level will fall drastically in November-December, he said.

He said oil company authorities in Baghabari have written letters to district administrations in Sirajganj and Pabna and to IWTA authorities to look into the problem immediately.