Sources in BPC's Northern Regional Control Room (NRCM) in Bogra said the corporation is going to set up a temporary distributing point at Kazirhat area in Pabna to ensure smooth distribution of diesel during the Boro season in North Bengal.

A Senior Official of BPC in Bogra told The Daily Star that approximately 41,51,00,000 litres of diesel will be needed for smooth running of 5,50,100 irrigation equipment during the Boro season.

An NRCM official apprehended that smooth supply of fuel, especially of diesel, to Baghabari river port will be severely hampered in February due to a drop in the water level of the Baghabari river and for rise of shoals in a 25km stretch of the river from Baghabari to Kazirhat.

The diesel shortage occurred due to the drop in water level of the river, which is making it difficult for fuel tankers to navigate towards the port, according to BPC officials.

Based on a previous record of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) some sources of the agency apprehend that the water level on the river route is likely to drop further in February. Last year cargo vessels, especially fuel tankers, could not ply the route due to low water level in the river.

BIWTA officials further informed The Daily Star that in February vessels might not be able to move if the water level continues to drop at the current rate. Currently the water level is dropping an inch a day on an average, BIWTA sources said adding that a minimum required level is being maintained through dredging of the river bed on Bagabari-Kazirhat route.

But still oil tankers are not being able to navigate through the area with full capacity load, instead they are carrying only 60 percent of capacities.

Dredging is not sufficient for maintaining the required water level in February due to a shortage of modern dredgers, said an official of BIWTA.

BPC officials said the corporation decided to supply 2,84,00,000 litres of diesel less than the actual estimated requirement of 7,70,90,000 litres for the month of January.

If the supply shortage continues at the current rate then the cumulative shortage will stand at staggering 3 crore litres in 16 northern districts.

BPC officials said a total of 4,97,15,934 litres of diesel was supplied for 4,60,913 irrigation equipment in 2003, and almost the same quantity of diesel will be supplied to the region during the current Boro season although the number of irrigation equipment rose to 5,50,100 this year.