Rangpur filling stations selling spurious fuel to motorised vehicles

RANGPUR, Jan 8: Sale of adulterated petrol is going on ceaselessly at different filling stations in Rangpur district, much to the worry of the vehicle owners.

A number of drivers and owners of different motorised vehicles said the fuel traders are duping people by selling adulterated petrol to them. It is very difficult to identify the colour of adulterated petrol. Many of them also alleged that their vehicles were getting damaged after using the spurious petrol.

According to sources, a section of dishonest fuel traders are making windfall profit by selling adulterated fuel causing damage to motorised vehicles and also endangering environment.

It is alleged that due to lack monitoring by the concerned authorities, the consumers of fuel at different upazilas have become hostage to the unscrupulous fuel traders.

Many vehicle owners also alleged that owing to use of adulterated petrol many problems are arising in the engines of the vehicles. The engines of their vehicles emit thick black smoke with harsh sound which is polluting the environment.    

A number of vehicle owners alleged that besides selling substandard fuel filling stations are also deceiving the customers with quantity. Such malpractice should be stopped by launching anti-adulteration drive.

Mahmud Chowdhury, a primary schoolteacher in the city told The Financial Express that he purchased some petrol from a filling station at Mithapukur few days ago and after going one km his motorbike suddenly stopped and later he had to take it back to nearby workshop. The mechanic at the workshop said that the bike went out of order as he used substandard fuel. Like Mahmud many other vehicle owners also made same complaints.

A filling station owner in the city requesting anonymity told FE that they buy fuel from depots at Parbotipur of Dinajpur and Baghabari under Sirajganj. So if the fuel is substandard they have nothing to do in this regard.

Some filling station owners alleged that a syndicate is resorting to the illegal act by supplying adulterated fuel to different filling stations across the region.

A section of dishonest pump owners are also selling such substandard fuel in order to make additional profit, they added.

Talking to this correspondent a number of vehicle owners urged the concerned authority to take necessary measures to stop adulteration of fuel and punish the culprits who are involved in such illegal activities.  

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