Jhalokati, April 22, (V7N) - The Sugandha River floating barge depot of Jamuna Oil Company in Jhalakathi has remained non-functional for more than two and a half years, leaving approximately 75,000 liters of diesel stagnant in its tanks. The facility, once a vital hub for fuel distribution across the southern region—including Barisal, Bhola, Shariatpur, and Madaripur—now stands in a dilapidated state, symbolizing a significant disruption in the local energy supply chain.

The depot was forced to suspend operations after a hole was discovered in the bottom of the barge, prompting safety concerns. While the old barge was sent to Chittagong for extensive renovations and returned to Jhalokati in mid-December last year, fuel supply has yet to resume. The 75,000 liters of diesel, which was transferred to another barge for storage during the repair period, remains unused, with authorities claiming the fuel may have become unusable due to the accumulation of silt over time.

Local traders and residents have expressed deep frustration over the continued closure, especially as the energy market faces intense pressure due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Traders like Miraj Hossain and Arifur Rahman noted that the depot’s inactivity forces them to source oil from distant locations at higher costs, adding that the presence of idle fuel while the market faces a crisis is difficult for the community to accept. Prior to its closure, the depot supplied between 3.5 to 4 lakh liters of diesel monthly.

Abul Bashar, a senior officer at the Jamuna Oil Company Limited Jhalakathi depot, stated that the company could not risk supplying oil from a damaged vessel. He mentioned that while repairs are now complete, supply will only officially resume once fresh oil arrives. He maintained that the currently stored diesel is likely contaminated with silt, though local experts argue that the fuel should be tested rather than dismissed, as even a partial recovery could alleviate the current temporary shortage.

Jhalokati Deputy Commissioner Md. Momin Uddin has acknowledged the long-standing issue and confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the delay in resuming operations. He emphasized that making the depot operational is a priority for the administration, as it would significantly boost regional oil reserves and provide much-needed storage capacity for incoming tankers, ultimately easing the suffering of local consumers.

END/AIJ/RH