Severe suffering of people returning to workplaces after Eid

After the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, people have started returning to their workplaces. However, at this time, a severe fuel crisis has emerged in Pabna, which has had a serious impact on public life.

On Friday, after visiting different areas of the district, it was observed that most petrol pumps had signboards hanging that read “No Fuel.” At the stations where a small amount of fuel was still available, long lines of hundreds of motorcycles and cars had formed. Due to the introduction of fuel rationing, panic has spread among the general public, further increasing the crowd.

The fuel crisis has had a direct impact on road transport. The movement of vehicles on long-distance routes as well as internal routes has decreased significantly. Dhaka-bound passenger Ruman Hossain expressed frustration, saying, “Due to the lack of vehicles, even after leaving home, we have to stand for hours. Returning to Dhaka alone, leaving family behind, has become very difficult.”

Fahimul Kabir, who was returning to Dhaka with his family from the Radhanagar area, said, “If I were alone, I might have managed somehow, but waiting for a long time in this situation with family is very difficult.”

The crisis has also affected waterways. On the Kazirhat–Aricha river route, the number of ferries, launches, and speedboats has decreased, forcing passengers to wait for hours. Many have complained that they are being forced to travel by paying extra fares.

Transport workers claim that they are unable to bring vehicles out due to the lack of fuel. As a result, their daily income has stopped. Speedboat driver Abdul Khalek said, “Even though there are passengers, we cannot operate boats due to fuel shortages. We had hoped to earn some extra income during Eid, but that is not possible this time.”

Meanwhile, the administration has conducted a drive in Bera Upazila over allegations of overcharging fares. Bera Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Nuren Maisha Khan conducted the drive by posing as an ordinary passenger at the Kashinathpur intersection.

During the drive, when several auto-rickshaw drivers demanded fares higher than the fixed rate, a mobile court was immediately set up. One driver was fined 1,000 taka and four others were fined 500 taka each. They were also made to sign undertakings not to charge extra fares in the future.

Executive Magistrate Nuren Maisha Khan said, “Such drives are being conducted to reduce the suffering of passengers returning after Eid and to stop fare irregularities. Strict action will be taken against anyone who charges extra fares.”

Locals have alleged that mismanagement in fuel supply during the festive period may have created an artificial crisis, and that this needs to be investigated. Concerned parties fear that if fuel supply is not normalized quickly, the suffering of Dhaka-bound passengers will increase further.