Despite ban on rat-hole mining, illegal coal trade flourishes in Assam

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 31, 2025

Despite the Assam government’s ban on rat-hole mining, illegal coal trade continues unabated, with coal mafias reportedly controlling the transport of coal through Srirampur Composite Check Post in Kokrajhar district along the Assam-West Bengal border.

The state government had imposed the ban on rat-hole mining following the Umrangso coal mine tragedy, but coal trade itself remains legal, allowing a loophole for illegal transportation of already extracted coal. As a result, a nexus of coal mafias, transporters, and officials have been allegedly facilitating the movement of coal-laden trucks without valid challans, causing massive revenue losses to the state exchequer.

Reports suggest that at the Srirampur Integrated Check Post, numerous coal trucks are passing without valid challans, allegedly after bribing local coal mafias. Truck operators reportedly pay Rs 5,000 per truck to bypass mandatory checks, with authorities turning a blind eye to the illegal transactions.

This illicit trade is believed to be causing heavy financial losses to the Assam government, as the coal consignments—largely transported to Bihar—are later exported to Nepal and other parts of India. Sources allege that more than 200 coal-laden 16-wheeler trucks pass through the gate daily, leading to a potential loss of crores of rupees in unpaid taxes and duties.

Allegations have surfaced that officials from the Srirampur Outpost police, the forest department, and the District Transport Office (DTO) are directly or indirectly involved in the illegal trade. Despite the Assam government’s directive to curb overloading by mandating the weighing of trucks at Srirampur and Digorkhal check posts, coal-laden trucks continue to pass unchecked at Srirampur.

The reason for this lack of enforcement remains unclear, raising suspicions of collusion between authorities and coal mafias.

The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) has strongly criticized the government, alleging that the state is losing nearly Rs 2,000 crore in revenue every month due to rampant illegal coal mining and transportation in districts like Tinsukia, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao. The party has demanded urgent intervention to curb this illegal activity and bring those involved to justice.

With allegations of widespread corruption and unchecked coal smuggling, the Assam government faces mounting pressure to take strict action against those enabling the illegal trade, ensuring accountability and transparency in the coal sector.