Operations at Sonahat Land Port in Bhurungamari have slowed sharply due to a diesel shortage, disrupting the movement of imported stone and leaving transporters and workers under pressure.
The port, which mainly handles stone imports from India, is struggling to send consignments to other districts as trucks fail to secure sufficient fuel, sector insiders said.
Daily outbound shipments have dropped to five to six trucks from 10 to 15 earlier, effectively slowing port activity and raising concerns over job losses and revenue decline.
A visit to the port showed large volumes of stone lying idle at depots, while crushing machines remained unused and long queues of trucks stood parked at the terminal.
Truck movement has fallen as vehicles cannot leave on time due to limited fuel supply, creating what operators described as a near standstill situation.
Industry participants said the shortage intensified after conflict in the Middle East disrupted supply chains, leaving depots and retail markets short of diesel.
“We cannot load goods regularly as we are not getting fuel as required,” said truck owner Arif Hossain, who has been in the stone trade at the port for around a decade.
“Earlier, trucks rarely stayed idle, but now some remain parked for more than a week, ” he said.
Truck driver Robiul Islam said the number of trips has halved, cutting earnings and making it difficult to support his family.
“We used to make around 10 trips a week, now even five trips are difficult,” he added.
Commission agent Zahurul Islam said he once dispatched around 15 trucks daily, but now manages only four to five due to the fuel shortage.
“Demand for stone is strong, but supply cannot be maintained without fuel,” he said.
Rumana Traders Proprietor Shafiqul Islam said daily loading from his depot has dropped to 10 to 12 trucks from 35 to 40, describing the situation as a severe business slowdown.
Sonahat Land Port C&F Agents Association Convener Akmal Hossain said fewer trucks are arriving at the port due to fuel constraints, leading to reduced trade and stockpiles at depots.
He urged authorities to ensure stable fuel supply at the only filling station in Bhurungamari to ease the crisis.
Manager of Saha Filling Station Bishnu Pada Biswas said the pump is receiving only about one-third of required fuel, despite selling supplies under official supervision.
Kurigram District Fuel Pump Owners Association General Secretary Zaman Ahmed said supply has improved slightly but remains below normal levels.
“Diesel availability has increased compared to earlier, but the situation has not yet stabilised,” he said, adding that continuous rainfall has also affected demand patterns.
Sonahat Land Port Assistant Director Md Aminul Haque said import activity remains steady, with around 100 trucks entering daily from India.
“There has been a slight decline in external sales, but revenue collection has not been affected,” he said.
