Drastic Fall in Jamuna Water Level
Farmers in north worried as fuel supply hampered
Tank lorries wait in a queue in front of the gate of Baghabari Oil Depot that sees shortage of fuel oil, especially diesel, as supply has decreased due to problem in plying of oil carrying vessels following drastic fall in the water level of the Jamuna.Photo: STAR
Supply of fuel specially diesel is being hampered, as fuel carrying barges cannot reach Baghabari depots in time due to drastic fall in water level of Jamuna River. With serious diesel crisis looming large, the farmers of northern region are now worried about irrigating their fields with diesel-run pumps in the peak boro season. Some unscrupulous traders have increased diesel price by Tk 1 to Tk 2 per litre in rural areas of the region on the plea of its short supply while several dealers and fuel pumps owners have said they are failing to get fuel from depots as per demand. Depots sources said fuel supply is being hampered as large fuel carrying barges cannot reach Baghabarighat due to navigability problem in the dry season. Many shoals have already emerged at different points including Nakalia, Berakhola, Latifpur, Pechakhola, Char Saifullah and Mohonganj in the channel. Nine to 13 feet deep water is needed for smooth movement of large barges but there is only six feet depth at different points of Jamuna channel. As a result, barges often get stuck. If a fertiliser loaded cargo or vessel is stuck in the river, goods can be unloaded from there by using small boats but it is not possible to unload fuel from a stranded barge, said officials of the depots. So, they have to bring lighter barges through the river channel. The process takes longer time as the barges have to move slowly to avoid underwater shoals. At least 12 vessels and barges loaded with fertiliser and fuel have remained stuck at different points in the river for the last three days, said sources at Baghabari port and depots. During visits to different points of Jamuna River on Sunday, this correspondent found that fertiliser sacks are being unloaded from stranded vessels with the help of some engine boats. Many farmers said fuel station owners and dealers are realising additional money for diesel at different places while the latter denied the allegation of price rise. However, dealers alleged that they are facing harassment to get diesel from depots due to short supply. "I returned from the depot empty-handed after waiting there for two days as the depot authorities said that there was fuel shortage due to navigability problem," said Abul Kashem, a tank-lorry driver of Dinajpur. When contacted, ABM Siddique, manager of Padma depot, Tipu Sultan, manager of Meghna depot, and Sayeed Hassan Khan, manager of Jamuna depot, said there is demand of around 18-lakh litres of diesel from the three depots that have a stock of about three crore litres in total. If the navigability problem is not solved within two or three days, they will face serious crisis in two weeks, they said, adding that as they have started supplying diesel through rationing system as a precaution, some dealers are not getting diesel as per their demand.
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