Pabna, Jan 23 (UNB) - No vessels and barges loaded with fertilizer, fuel and rice could reach Baghabari port for the last 18 days due to poor navigability in the Jamuna River, virtually brining the activities of the port into a halt.

Sources said a total of 32 vessels and barges remained stuck at shoals in different places of the river, disrupting supply of the essentials through the port.

The river channel has become unfit for plying of the cargo vessels as a large number of shoals have emerged for lack of proper dredging in the river.

Baghabari Depot of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation sources said 17 shallow draft tankers with 62 lakh litres of fuel oil and another 15 vessels with fertilizer and other essential items got stuck at Shibalaya of Manikganj, and Penchakhola, Mohanganj, Nakalia and Koitola in Pabna in the dry season.

Boro cultivation will be badly hampered in the northern region as the supply of fertilizer and fuel is being affected with the navigability problem.

The depot sources said on an average 27 lakh litres of fuel oil, mostly diesel, are being supplied to 16 districts of the region daily.

The daily demand for diesel in current Boro season in the region is 20-22 lakh litres.

As the vessels and barges with fuel oil cannot reach the port due to poor navigability of the river, fuel oils are being supplied to the region from reserve stock.

There are about 2.58 crore litres of fuel reserved in distribution centers of Padma, Meghna and Jamuna companies by which only 12 days’ demand can be met.

“There will be a fuel crisis if the navigability problem cannot be solved by this time,” said the sources.

Abdur Razzaque, assistant director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) at Baghabari river port, said they have already sent letters informing the higher authorities about the present situation of the port as well as recommending dredging in the river.