Trucks carrying raw petroleum coke from Indian Oil Corporation refineries are stranded at the Assam-West Bengal border
More than 300 lorries loaded with raw petroleum coke, or RPC, from IOCL refineries at Guwahati, Digboi and Bongaigaon have been stopped around Srirampur and Bakshirhat, according to traders and transporters. The consignments are bound for calcined petroleum coke units in Barauni and other industrial destinations, and are required to pass through West Bengal in transit.
Drivers from several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh, said they were facing acute hardship due to the prolonged halt. Many reported shortages of food and drinking water, safety concerns at night and instances of diesel theft.
The association said the trucks were carrying GST-paid consignments supported by IOCL invoices, e-way bills and other valid documents. Traders said if there was any violation, authorities should inspect the cargo, seize deficient vehicles or issue formal notices, rather than leave hundreds of trucks immobilised indefinitely. Truck owners said they were incurring daily losses and struggling to meet loan instalments as vehicles remained idle. The Barauni Calciners Association said RPC is a petroleum refinery by-product and distinct from coal. They said every additional day of stoppage was compounding financial losses for manufacturers, traders, transporters and drivers.
The Barauni Calciners Association has sent an SOS to the Prime Minister’s Office, seeking urgent intervention after representations to the West Bengal Chief Minister’s Office, the Chief Secretary, senior home and finance officials, police authorities and GST officials failed to resolve the matter. It is the key raw material for calcined petroleum coke, which is used in aluminium smelting and graphite electrode manufacturing. Barauni, in Begusarai district, is a major CPC production hub. Industry representatives warned that disruption in RPC movement could hit production at CPC units, affect downstream industries and disturb the lifting cycle from Assam refineries.