Diesel shortfall raises post-Eid rail concerns

The Bangladesh Railway authorities are facing growing concern over the supply of diesel required to operate trains, as fuel reserves at depots have fallen well below the standard level.

Officials have warned that failure to replenish stocks quickly could cause serious disruptions to train operations.

There are also concerns that train services may face difficulties after the Eid holidays if the diesel shortage persists.

All trains in Bangladesh operate entirely on diesel. The railway system requires approximately 5.7 million litres of diesel every month, or around 190,000 litres per day. However, fuel stocks at railway depots are currently far below the desired level.

According to railway officials, each of the country’s 12 railway depots is required to maintain diesel reserves sufficient for at least 30 days.

However, current stocks range between only seven and fifteen days, with reserves continuing to decline by the hour.

The Dhaka depot has reserves for only six days, while other depots hold between seven and fifteen days of diesel.

Despite the situation, Road, Rail and Water Transport Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam assured that necessary measures are being taken to increase supplies and that there will be no disruption to transport during the Eid travel period.

While visiting Kamalapur Railway Station on Friday, the minister said there would be no shortage of fuel for public transport during the Eid rush.

He added that the required amount of diesel for public transport would be ensured from Sunday.

“The Energy Minister has assured me on this matter. I do not foresee any suffering related to fuel shortages,” he said.

Speaking to media on Saturday, Sheikh Robiul Alam reiterated that the government had taken all necessary preparations to ensure adequate fuel reserves.

He said fresh supplies of diesel would start reaching depots from Saturday night. “We remain vigilant to ensure safe travel for passengers,” he added.

Railway sources said that during the Eid season, ten additional pairs of trains are operated compared to normal times.

Currently, about 290 trains are running across the country. Given the pace at which diesel stocks are being depleted, train operations could face difficulties at any time.

Under existing agreements, the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) is supposed to supply diesel to railway depots on a daily basis.

However, BPC has reportedly been unable to supply fuel in recent days, raising concerns among railway officials responsible for train operations.

Railway Additional Director General (Rolling Stock) Engineer Ahmed Mahbub Chowdhury told that nearly every train is currently operating with additional coaches, along with special Eid services, which has increased diesel consumption.

“Each depot should maintain more than 30 days’ fuel reserves, but stocks are falling rapidly. At present, each depot has between seven and fifteen days’ supply.

If reserves cannot be ensured, train operations could face serious disruption,” he said, expressing hope that the stock replenishment process would resume fully within a few days.

Farid Ahmed, General Manager of Bangladesh Railway’s Western Zone, said trains operating in the western region consume comparatively higher amounts of fuel. “Yet no depot currently has adequate reserves.

After the Eid travel period, train services could become impossible to operate if the diesel shortage continues,” he warned, adding that authorities remain on alert and are making their utmost efforts to maintain operations.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Subaktagin, General Manager of the Eastern Zone, said diesel reserves were declining faster than they were being replenished.

“We expect stocks to increase soon. We are closely monitoring the situation to ensure that train operations are not disrupted,” he said.

Bangladesh Railway Director General Engineer Afzal Hossain also said there would be no disruption to train services during the Eid travel period. However, he warned that the fuel crisis could intensify afterwards.

“If reserves cannot be increased, operating trains may become impossible. The Dhaka depot’s fuel stock has already fallen very low,” he said.

He added that the Western Zone currently has diesel reserves for more than fifteen days, while stocks in the Eastern Zone are somewhat lower.

“We hope the problem will be resolved soon.

There will be no disruption to Eid travel due to fuel shortages, but maintaining normal train services requires each depot to keep more than a month’s diesel reserve,” he said.