Kolkata: Hundreds of trucks carrying raw petroleum coke from Indian Oil Corporation refineries in Assam to calcination units in Barauni, Bihar, have been stranded at the Assam-Bengal border for more than two weeks, with authorities in Bengal allegedly refusing passage without issuing any written order or citing a specific reason.According to traders and transporters, more than 300 trucks loaded with raw petroleum coke, or RPC, from IOCL refineries at Guwahati, Digboi and Bongaigaon have been stopped around Serampore and Bakshirhat. The consignments are bound for calcined petroleum coke (CPC) units in Barauni and other industrial destinations, and are required to pass through Bengal in transit.Barauni Calciners Association has sent an SOS to Prime Minister’s Office, seeking urgent intervention after representations to Bengal chief minister’s office, the chief secretary, senior home and finance officials, police authorities and GST officials failed to resolve the matter. The association said the trucks were carrying GST-paid consignments supported by IOCL invoices, e-way bills and other valid documents.Transporters said police and GST officials on the ground have only referred to “orders from above” while stopping the vehicles. No written communication has been served specifying the issuing authority, legal provision, reason for detention or process for release, they said.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. Drivers from several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh, said they were facing acute hardship because of the prolonged halt. Many reported shortages of food and drinking water, safety concerns at night and instances of diesel theft. Truck owners said they were incurring daily losses and struggling to meet loan instalments as vehicles remained idle.RPC is a petroleum refinery by-product and distinct from coal. 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. They said every additional day of stoppage was compounding financial losses for manufacturers, traders, transporters and drivers. The association has urged the Centre to take up the issue with West Bengal at the highest level and ensure immediate movement of all legally documented consignments.
