Motorcyclists struggle for fuel in Thakurgaon despite card-based distribution

Motorcyclists in Thakurgaon are still struggling to secure fuel despite the introduction of ‘fuel card’-based distribution today, amid an ongoing supply shortage.

Many were seen returning frustrated from petrol pumps after waiting in long queues for hours.

According to the district administration, a total of 3,000 litres of octane, 38,000 litres of petrol, and 64,500 litres of diesel were scheduled to be distributed among cardholders through 16 of the 39 pumps across the district.

However, in Thakurgaon municipality, only two of the seven petrol pumps were found dispensing fuel after 1:00pm.

Noni Gopal, a painter from Kalitala village who obtained a ‘fuel card’, said he had been waiting in a queue at Ruposhi Bangla Filling Station since around 12:30pm.

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“The pump authorities declared the fuel sold out around 3:30pm while more than a hundred motorcyclists were still in the queue,” he said.

Kamarul Huda Mim, 35, a businessman from the Thakurgaon Railway Station area, said he was denied fuel at the same pump despite visiting five petrol stations earlier.

“After visiting five pumps, I came here and stood in the queue as it was dispensing fuel. When there were about 15 people ahead of me, the authorities stopped selling due to shortage,” he said.

Bablur Rahman, owner of Suprio Filling Station, said his pump ran dry by 1:00pm after selling 2500 litres of petrol.

Responding to a query, he said around 370 motorcycles received fuel worth Tk 600 each and cars got fuel worth Tk 2,300 each, while about 150 others had to return empty-handed after the stock ran out.

Fuel dispensing through cards began today to ensure regulated supply.

A total of 20,586 people obtained ‘fuel card’ in the district till yesterday after submitting the required documents.

Of them, 3,100 are from other districts and currently staying in Thakurgaon for work, said Golam Ferdous, additional district magistrate of Thakurgaon.

He said the situation is expected to improve in a couple of days.