Residents and motorcyclists in Noakhali’s Begumganj and Maijdee towns are facing severe difficulties due to an acute shortage of fuel. The crisis, which has intensified over the past week, has left many unable to complete daily tasks, as local supply fails to meet rising demand. On Monday morning, Abu Nasher, an employee of a private company, shared his harrowing experience navigating the fuel scarcity.
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Long Distances, Limited Supply
From 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Abu Nasher visited eight petrol stations across Begumganj and Maijdee in search of octane fuel, covering nearly 25 kilometres in the process. Ultimately, he was able to acquire fuel at the Abdul Haque Filling Station near the old bus stand in Maijdee, after waiting for almost an hour. The quantity he purchased, costing 200 taka, is expected to allow his motorcycle to travel only 70–75 kilometres. Such constraints make planning for daily work and essential travel increasingly difficult.
Fuel Availability Across Stations
Based on Abu Nasher’s survey, the status of fuel supply at nine key petrol stations in Maijdee and Begumganj is summarised below:
| Area | Number of Petrol Stations | Fuel Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Maijdee Old Bus Stand | 1 | Octane available, 200 Taka per motorcycle |
| Maijdee Dattabari | 1 | No fuel |
| Maijdee Datterhat | 1 | No fuel |
| Begumganj Choumuhani West Market | 1 | No fuel |
| Choumuhani Chourasta | 1 | No fuel |
| Choumuhani East Market | 1 | No fuel |
| Setubhanga Market | 1 | No fuel |
| Zamidarthat | 1 | No fuel |
| Begumganj Choumuhani Other Locations | 1 | No fuel |
The Human Impact
Long queues of hundreds of motorcycles have been observed at stations where fuel is available, with each vehicle taking considerable time to be served. Local riders report that retail petrol outlets in rural haats and markets have been closed for over a week. The shortage has caused particular distress for people travelling to visit relatives during Eid or attending urgent personal matters, leaving many stranded.
Administrative Response
District Commissioner Muhammad Shafiqul Islam stated that daily inventories and supply tracking are being conducted at all petrol stations. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation is being informed, and efforts are underway to ensure consistent stock at depots. Officials are hopeful that increased supply will gradually alleviate the crisis.
The ongoing fuel shortage in Noakhali is significantly affecting daily life, particularly for motorcyclists and small business owners, who are struggling to maintain routine operations amid this persistent scarcity.