Railway engine shortage causes oil shortage in Rangpur, public life in five districts in trouble

The rail engine shortage has disrupted the fuel supply system in the northern region. Especially in Rangpur Division's Rangpur, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram and Gaibandha districts, there is a severe fuel shortage. Although oil was supplied regularly from Chittagong through rail racks earlier, that supply has almost stopped now, as a result, the oil stored in the depots is running out quickly.

According to the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, where the demand for fuel is 25 million liters per month, the supply has come down to a very low level. This situation has arisen because the engine shortage on the meter gauge line has made it impossible to transport oil from Chittagong.

In this situation, many pump owners are forced to bring oil from distant areas at a high cost as an alternative, while some have stopped bringing oil due to the increase in transportation costs. As a result, pumps are closed in some places, supply is limited in some places, and consumers are unable to get oil even after standing in long lines. This has created extreme suffering and anxiety among the common people.

Not only consumers, but also the workers concerned are in trouble due to this crisis. Hundreds of workers working in the tanker sector are losing their jobs and living in inhuman conditions. On the other hand, railway sources said that since a large part of the total engines in the country are out of service or expired, goods transport activities are being limited and rationed.

The administration is trying to take alternative measures to resolve the crisis, it has been said. However, those concerned fear that the situation may become more complicated if the supply does not normalize quickly.