Assam: Black market fuel trading allegations hit HP petrol depot in West Karbi Anglong

A petrol depot in Kheroni, near Zero Point in West Karbi Anglong, operated under a joint venture between the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), is facing serious allegations of illegal fuel trading.

 

Eyewitnesses reported that an Assam Oil tanker was being filled with fuel from the HP depot’s storage tanks using a manual pump, bypassing the standard fuel dispensing equipment. The use of Assam Oil tankers at an HPCL facility—two distinct entities—has raised immediate red flags among local residents and consumers, who are demanding accountability and transparency.

 

The method of transfer, done manually and away from official systems, has led to suspicions of black market operations. Locals are questioning why a non-HP vehicle was allowed to extract fuel and why such operations were conducted without following HPCL’s standard protocols.

 

This isn’t the first time the depot has come under scrutiny. Previous reports of irregularities had already cast doubt on the depot’s operations, but the latest incident has reignited public concern.

 

Depot staff claim the fuel transfer was part of routine tank maintenance, but that explanation has been met with scepticism. According to standard operating procedures, tank cleaning requires prior approval and typically halts all sales during the process. However, reports suggest the depot continued regular operations while the alleged cleaning was underway, potentially breaching HPCL regulations.

 

Calls for a formal investigation are growing louder, with consumer groups and local observers demanding immediate intervention from HPCL and KAAC. They argue that without independent oversight, the integrity of the fuel supply system in the region remains at risk.