Fuel crisis as Baghabari depots exhausted

This correspondent visieted at least 12 pumps in the town and talked to their owners and employees.

They said their tank lorries returned empty from Baghabari as supplies to the depots of Padma, Meghna and Jamuna oil companies there could not be replenished because barges could not reach the spot due to fall in Jamuana water level.

Some bus and truck drivers at the fuel pumps told this correspondent that they were returning empty after queuing for fuel for long.

When contacted, Abul Bashar, in-charge of Jamuna depot; Abdul Zalil of Meghna and Shahzahan Hawladar of Padma depot admitted that there was shortage of fuel in their depots as no barge reached Baghabari port in last two days. Their barges were stuck up on underwater shoals at Nakalia point on the padma in Pabna, they said but could not specify how many were stranded.

They said the Jamuna channel should be dredged immediately at several points including Nakalia, Pechakola and Mohonganj. Otherwise, supply will be obstructed, aggravating the crisis.