RAJSHAHI, April 15 (V7N) — A severe fuel shortage continues to grip Rajshahi, with oil prices rising and supply remaining unstable for more than a month. Drivers are enduring long queues at filling stations, often waiting overnight in harsh conditions, only to receive limited amounts of petrol or octane.
Crisis at filling stations

Long queues: Vehicles line up for kilometers, with drivers facing mosquito bites at night and heat exhaustion during the day.

Limited supply: Oil is delivered to stations every 2–3 days, forcing pump authorities to ration fuel.

Clashes: Tensions between customers and staff are rising due to unmet demand.

Motorcycle driver Farid Uddin said he waited six hours last week for Tk 300 worth of fuel and is still uncertain when he will get more. Another driver, Rabbi, expressed frustration: “Doesn’t the government see the time we are wasting? There is enough oil in the country, so why are we not getting it?”
Impact on livelihoods

Public transport drivers report declining income as they miss fares or park vehicles due to lack of fuel. Truck driver Jasim Ali said he had to give up a Tk 16,000 fare because his vehicle had no fuel. “If it continues like this, we won’t survive. We have families to feed,” he lamented.

Nazrul Islam Helal, general secretary of the Rajshahi District Road Transport Owners Group, said half of vehicles are idle due to the crisis. “We have made a strong appeal to the government to solve this problem as soon as possible,” he added.
Pump owners and suppliers

Pump managers reported that weekly fuel stocks are being exhausted within hours. Rakib Hossain, manager of Mercus Habib Filling Station, said: “We are not getting the oil we need from the depot. Many drivers are trying to buy more than necessary, leaving ordinary buyers without fuel.”

Mominul Haque, president of the Rajshahi Petrol Pump Owners Association, said: “We are not getting oil as per demand from the depot. If the supply is not normal, we have nothing to do.”
Official explanation

Mahbubur Rahman, assistant general manager of Padma Oil Company PLC, explained: “The amount of oil supplied is almost the same as before, but demand has increased manifold. BPC is not able to supply oil from Daulatpur, and wagon facilities are no longer usable. Dealers now have to bring oil by road at triple cost.”
Public demand

Citizens are urging the government to intervene immediately to stabilize supply and prevent further disruption to livelihoods. The crisis has become a pressing issue in Rajshahi, with widespread anger and calls for urgent action.

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