Guwahati: Illegal coal trafficking has returned to the Assam-Meghalaya border. Sources report that 30 to 40 trucks are waiting near Athiabari, Meghalaya, prepared to cross into Assam through Hahim under the cover of night. This operation allegedly bypasses standard taxes and avoids mandatory documentation.
A driver operating a truck with registration number AS 18 C 0675 said, "The movement did not require an e-way bill or transport challan." He claimed the cargo originated in Shallang and was bound for Haldhipara in Boko. The driver alleged that a man named Bansal heads the syndicate. He also stated that transporters pay Rs 1.5 lakh per vehicle to bribe influential figures in both states. These claims remain unverified.
The scale of the trade appears massive. Another source estimated that 200 to 300 trucks recently reached the Shallang area. This coal allegedly comes from rat-hole mines in Mautap, Tarajak, Langmar, and Gareng. It eventually supplies brick kilns and industrial plants. Profits are significant. Coal prices range from Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,000 per tonne at the source, fetching much higher prices inside Assam.
Overloading creates immediate road hazards. Drivers pack 40 to 45 tonnes onto individual trucks to boost profit margins. This wrecks infrastructure and risks lives. Meanwhile, the state governments face mounting revenue losses. Past data from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India noted that 31,556 metric tonnes of coal left for Bangladesh in 2020-21 without proper permits. This caused a royalty loss of roughly Rs 2.13 crore. The Enforcement Directorate also linked an active syndicate to this trade in April 2025. Authorities now face growing pressure to tighten border security and stop the illicit flow of goods.
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