Tonnes of fertiliser in banned plastic bags have been piled up in open spaces at the Baghabari river port in Shahzadpur upazila of Sirajganj and Nagorbarihat in Bera upazila of Pabna for a long time as dealers are reluctant to take delivery of them for fear of harassment.
The important agricultural input might be damaged soon unless it is removed to warehouses or made available to farmers.  Although the government has relaxed the ban on use of plastic bags in carrying fertiliser the dealers and traders of the region are still subjected to harassment by local authorities.
Abdus Salam, in-charge of Baghabari River Port, said the fertiliser sacks have been awaiting transportation. But, the listed dealers and traders are not collecting them from the port.
Fertiliser dealers and traders, seeking anonymity, said mobile court is continuing drives at different places and taking drastic action against the users of nylon plastic sacks instead of jute bags as the government has made it compulsory to use jute sacks.
But, the BCIC authorities despite the government directive have been continuing sending fertiliser in plastic sacks. Now, this situation has put the dealers and traders in dilemma.
 Besides, a higher transport fare and shortage of trucks are also hampering the supply chain.
An official of BCIC on condition of anonymity said large quantities of fertiliser in plastic sacks were already allocated for the dealers and transport contractors before the slap of a ban on use of plastic bags. The fertilisers that have been piled up at ports were packed and transported before imposition of the ban.
 Local fertiliser traders said although a buffer warehouse is located at Baghabarighat river port its accommodation capacity is very poor.
Abdul Latif, in-charge of Baghabarighat buffer warehouse, said about 10,000 tonnes of urea fertiliser have been kept in the warehouse against its capacity of 8,500 tonnes.  He said the fertiliser will be damaged and farmers will be affected if the continues any further. As the rainy season is approaching the dealers and traders should collect the fertiliser from the river ports as soon as possible, he suggested.