Two floating oil depots of Jamuna Oil Company Limited and Meghna Petroleum Limited in the Brahmaputra River at Chilmari, Kurigram, have remained without fuel for nine years. The shortage has severely disrupted irrigation and daily activities in the region, raising fears of setbacks in the current Boro rice season. Farmers said they are forced to buy diesel from the Parbatipur depot at higher transport costs, and they have demanded a quick resolution.

Authorities explained that the supply stopped because oil-laden ships cannot reach the depots due to reduced navigability of the Brahmaputra. The depots, established in 1989, previously supplied fuel to districts including Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, and Lalmonirhat through 22 authorized dealers. Since early 2018, no fuel has been supplied, leaving local farmers and businesses struggling to meet daily fuel needs estimated at 70,000–90,000 liters.

Officials said a Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation team inspected the depots two years ago for possible permanent setup, but supply remains halted. Farmers warned that irrigation-dependent crops such as Boro rice, maize, wheat, and peanuts are now at risk.