Abandoned motorcycle sits at Rangpur filling station for 12 days

Abandoned motorcycleLike elsewhere in the country, filling stations in Rangpur are witnessing daily incidents amid the ongoing fuel crisis. Long queues, scuffles, frustration and unusual occurrences have become common.

One such incident took place at M/S Unique Filling Station in the Shapla Chattar area of Rangpur city. A motorcycle has remained at the filling station for the last 12 days after being abandoned by its rider. The pump authorities say they are struggling to locate the owner despite extensive efforts.

During a visit on Friday afternoon, the riderless motorcycle was seen kept aside at the filling station. The motorcycle is a TVS Metro Plus model with number plate Rangpur Metro-H 11-0572.

According to filling station sources, a man stood in the queue on April 5 and left the motorcycle there. Twelve days have passed, but he has not returned. Workers now want to hand the motorcycle over to its owner to be relieved of responsibility.

Alamgir Hossain, a sales worker at the filling station, said, “When fuel sales started on April 5, we saw a motorcycle standing in the queue, but there was no rider. Even after waiting for a long time, no one came. Later, we moved the motorcycle aside for the convenience of others. It was still there at night, and the next morning too... Even after 12 days, no owner has been found.”

Another employee, Biplob Islam, said, “We tried to identify the rider by checking CCTV footage. But he left the motorcycle beyond the camera’s coverage.”

Mizanur Rahman, manager of the station, said, “We are facing problems over the motorcycle. The matter is being publicised through the media and other channels to identify the owner. If the owner is not found by Saturday, police assistance will be sought and the motorcycle will be handed over to police.”

Meanwhile, motorcycle riders waiting for fuel said they often fail to get fuel even after standing in line for hours. This is causing extreme suffering.

Motorcycle rider Shamsul Haque said, “It is natural to lose temper after standing in line for hours and still not getting fuel. The person who left the motorcycle may have done so out of frustration. Many riders are coming from faraway places to Rangpur city pumps to buy fuel.”

Azizul Islam Mintu, president of the Rangpur Petrol Pump Dealers and Agents Association, said, “We are not receiving even half of the daily demand. Although there are 48 (petrol) pumps in Rangpur, around 30 remain closed every day due to the crisis.”

He added, “Fuel supply in surrounding districts is almost halted, so riders from those places are also coming to Rangpur. This is increasing pressure further. If a certain amount of fuel could be supplied to all pumps every day, the crisis would ease significantly.” sits at Rangpur filling station for 12 days