A sudden shortage of fuel in Natore’s Boraiagram Upazila led to a protest on a major roadway on Wednesday, resulting in a temporary traffic standstill and a hefty fine for a local petrol station.
The demonstration took place at around 11:30 a.m. on the Bonpara-Hatikumrul highway, where a group of residents blocked the road in protest against limited fuel supplies. The protest caused significant disruption to daily traffic, drawing the immediate attention of local authorities.
According to the Boraiagram Upazila administration, the incident was triggered by irregular fuel sales at the Patowari Filling Station in Bonpara. Station officials had halted fuel sales from Monday, citing mechanical faults. However, without notifying the administration, the station resumed fuel sales on Wednesday morning. Unable to meet the high demand, the station supplied fuel to only a portion of the waiting customers, prompting frustrated residents to block the highway in protest.
Upon receiving reports, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Laila Jannatul Ferdous promptly visited the site. After assessing the situation and assuring immediate remedial action, the protesters dispersed approximately two hours later, and normal traffic flow was restored.
An on-site investigation at Patowari Filling Station revealed that the station had 3,700 litres of fuel in storage. Under official regulations, fuel distribution must be coordinated with local authorities and supervised by a designated official. However, the station sold 2,600 litres of fuel secretly, bypassing administrative oversight. Consequently, a mobile court imposed a fine of 50,000 taka on the station, requiring a formal commitment to refrain from such irregular practices in the future.
Fuel Distribution Details
| Station Name | Fuel in Storage (litres) | Fuel Sold Secretly (litres) | Regulatory Breach | Fine Imposed (Taka) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patowari Filling Station | 3,700 | 2,600 | Yes | 50,000 |
UNO Laila Jannatul Ferdous stated, “The protesters have been safely removed, and traffic has resumed. The filling station violated regulations by selling fuel secretly, which has been addressed with a fine. We urge all stations to comply with administrative protocols to prevent future incidents.”
This episode underscores the ongoing challenges in ensuring fair fuel distribution in Boraiagram and highlights the authorities’ swift action to maintain public order while enforcing regulations.