Pumping of 7,000 metric tonnes of refined diesel imported from India`s Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) has begun.

The fuel is being transported through the Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline and will reach the depot of Padma Oil PLC in Parbatipur, Dinajpur.

"Pumping started at around 8:30 pm Bangladesh time today from the Numaligarh Refinery in Assam. This consignment includes 7,000 metric tonnes of diesel, and after the start of pumping, it will take about 65 hours for the entire shipment to reach the Parbatipur depot," Meghna Petroleum Limited Manager (Operations) Kazi Md. Robiul Alam told BSS.

He added that there is currently no shortage of diesel in the country, with adequate stocks available and supply remaining normal. In the next phase, another 5,000 metric tonnes of diesel will be imported.

A total of 25,000 metric tonnes of diesel import has been planned for the current month, of which 13,000 metric tonnes have already arrived in two consignments.