Fuel lifting from depots in Khulna remained suspended for the second consecutive day on Sunday, as tank lorry owners and drivers continued their work stoppage, leading to fuel shortages and the closure of many filling stations across 15 districts.
According to industry insiders, pumps in several districts under Khulna Division and the greater Faridpur region have been unable to operate due to the lack of fuel supply.
Sultan Mahmud Pintu, general secretary of the Khulna Divisional Tanker Owners Association, said the daily demand for fuel—including octane, petrol and diesel—across the 15 districts is at least 3.6 million litres.
However, only about 1.5 million litres are being supplied from the depots of Padma Oil Company Limited, Meghna Petroleum Limited and Jamuna Oil Company Limited in Khulna.
“As fuel is not being supplied according to demand, tanker owners have stopped lifting oil from the depots,” he said, adding that the suspension began on Saturday and continued on Sunday morning.
Sajjadul Karim, convener of the Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association, alleged that adequate fuel remains stored at the three depots but is not being distributed properly.
He claimed that although a tanker’s capacity ranges from 9,000 to 22,000 litres, tankers are being supplied with only 2,000 to 4,000 litres at a time.
“Operating tankers with such limited supply is not viable,” he said, adding that petrol pump owners are also facing mounting pressure from customers.
Mahbubur Rahman, manager of a filling station in the New Market area, said pump owners have not been receiving adequate fuel since Saturday.
“Each pump has been receiving around 3,000 litres of octane and 3,000 litres of diesel daily, along with about 3,000 litres of petrol, which runs out before evening,” he said. “On Sunday, our pump had no fuel left.”
Kazi Masudur Rahman, owner of another filling station in the city’s Ferry Ghat area, said they were able to supply fuel until Saturday evening.
“Since the stock has run out, we cannot serve customers anymore,” he said. “Many people are returning without fuel.”
Mujibur Rahman, supervisor of a pump operated by Khulna City Corporation, said the station has remained idle due to the lack of supply and there is little hope of receiving fuel until the dispute is resolved.
ASM Jamshed Khandkar, deputy commissioner of Khulna, said the suspension of oil lifting was not a government decision.
“There is no fuel crisis. This may be due to a local issue, and the matter is being looked into seriously,” he said.
