Fuel shortage fears cause crowds at filling stations in Patnitala
Ikhtiar Uddin Azad, Patnitala (Naogaon)
The oil crisis that has started due to the war in the Middle East has affected Patnitala Upazila of Naogaon. Upon receiving the news of the arrival of fuel oil, various types of vehicles including tractors, trucks, buses, private cars, personal motorbikes and others started crowding the filling stations in Patnitala.
However, motorcyclists are suffering the most. Because, some people are getting oil by following the serial order for a long time, while others are not getting oil even after standing in line! Some motorcyclists are returning disappointed after wasting several hours of time.
As time passed, the situation got out of control as the pressure of vehicles increased. At one stage, the filling station authorities were forced to take the help of the police in distributing fuel. Such a picture has been seen at 5 filling stations in the upazila since last Monday. It is worth noting that there are 3 filling stations in the upazila Sadar Najipur municipal area and 2 more at the union level.
A motorcycle rider named Hafiz Uddin said, "I have been standing in line for two hours, and it is getting late to get fuel due to the crowd."
Rice farmer Manik Hossain said, "I have to buy oil for irrigation work, I am standing in line."
Another motorbike driver named Raihan said, "I have been in line for about 3 hours. They are only giving me 200 taka of fuel for my bike."
"Mango orchard businessman Sajedur Rahman complained that the season is right for spraying pesticides in mango orchards using machines powered by petrol. However, due to the lack of oil as per demand, it is not possible to spray pesticides in mango orchards."
According to the staff of the filling station and eyewitnesses, the situation is not being maintained normal due to the huge crowd of motorbikes. The pressure is increasing as time goes by. The same motorbike has taken oil 3 to 4 times. They are not being controlled.
Employees of the filling station in Patnitala Upazila told this reporter that the supply of oil has been low since noon on Eid. Demand is increasing. Thousands of motorbikes have already arrived. Considering the safety of the filling station and the staff, we have been forced to deploy police.
However, under the administration's orders, oil is currently being sold in the vehicles of drivers who have valid documents.
