RAJSHAHI, Mar 10, (V7N) – An acute fuel shortage has gripped Rajshahi division, forcing many filling stations to shut down or sell limited quantities of petrol, octane and diesel, causing severe suffering for commuters and transport operators.

Long queues of motorcycles, private cars and CNG‑powered vehicles were seen at stations across Rajshahi city, with drivers reporting they could only purchase Tk 100–300 worth of fuel at a time. Some pumps closed entirely after running out of supply.

Local residents said the crisis has worsened over the past few days, with many drivers forced to visit multiple stations without success. “We had to go to three pumps to get oil. We got Tk 200 worth from one place and Tk 100 from another. We could not fill the tank,” said Saiful Islam, a motorcycle driver from Bhatapara.

At Mercedes Habib filling station near Shah Makhdum Airport, sales were suspended after stocks ran out. Staff said demand far exceeded supply, forcing them to ration fuel before closing.

According to the Petrol Pump Owners Association, there are 279 filling stations across eight districts in Rajshahi division, but supply has been disrupted in recent days. Abdul Jalil, general secretary of the Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners Association (Rajshahi division), attributed the shortage to international factors, including the impact of the Iran war, and panic buying by consumers.

Officials said law enforcement agencies have been deployed to supervise sales in some areas to prevent hoarding and ensure discipline. They urged the public not to panic and to buy fuel only as needed, assuring that the situation would normalize once supply stabilizes.

Concerns remain, however, that if the crisis persists, it could severely affect transportation and daily life across the Rajshahi region.

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