Diesel imports through the India-Bangladesh pipeline have resumed to tackle the fuel shortage affecting eight districts in the northern region of Bangladesh.

The pumping process began at 7:00pm today from India's Numaligarh Refinery Limited to deliver 4,000 metric tonnes of diesel to the depots of Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna Oil Companies in Parbatipur.

According to depot officials in Parbatipur, it will take approximately 36 to 40 hours to receive the fuel.

Meanwhile, 1.2 million litres of diesel were transported this afternoon from the Daulatpur depot via a rail wagon. Due to high demand, this quantity was entirely sold at the dealer level within hours.

The Parbatipur depot supplies diesel to eight northern districts, including Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Nilphamari, and Lalmonirhat. As it is the peak irrigation season, the dealer-level demand in these districts currently stands at approximately 2.4 million litres per day, officials said.

BPC Director (Operations and Commercial) Anupam Barua told The Daily Star that diesel is being imported through the pipeline to ensure uninterrupted supply in the northern region.

"An LC (Letter of Credit) has been promptly opened at Mutual Trust Bank for this import.

"This imported diesel should meet the region's demand for a few days. Meanwhile, we aim to resume diesel transportation via rail wagons," he added.

The diesel supply through railway wagons has been disrupted due to locomasters refusing to work beyond eight hours per day. The last diesel import via pipeline was recorded on November 12.