Assam cracks down on pig transport to battle ASF; one border entry allowed, rail and night movement banned

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 28, 2025

The Assam government has rolled out strict new transport rules to stop the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), enforcing a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that clamps down on pig movement across the state and into it.

The SOP aims to contain the deadly virus, which has severely impacted Assam’s pig farming sector in recent years. It allows limited transportation of live pigs but under tightly controlled conditions, including specific routes, mandatory health documentation, vehicle disinfection, and biosecurity compliance.

Under the new rules, pigs from ASF-free Indian states or countries can only enter Assam through the Srirampur check post in Kokrajhar district. This route is designated for shipments headed to other northeastern states passing through Assam. Entry via the Boxirhat check post in Dhubri district is banned entirely. Vehicles found using this route with pig consignments will be turned back and penalized.

To legally transport pigs through Assam, all vehicles must comply with existing animal welfare and transport laws, including the Transport of Animals Rules (1978), Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1960), and Motor Vehicles Act (1988). Vehicles must also be disinfected, and pigs are subject to random testing at entry points.

Only breeding stock (piglets) from ASF-free zones is allowed into Assam for breeding purposes, with weight limits set at 20 kg for piglets from Indian states and between 40–60 kg for those imported from abroad.

The SOP permits pig transportation within and between districts inside Assam, but only if all biosecurity protocols are followed. However, the transport of pigs from outside Assam for consumption within the state remains banned until further notice.

Additionally, the government has prohibited rail-based transport of pigs and banned the movement of pig-laden vehicles through interstate checkposts at night, citing the need for tighter surveillance and disease control during vulnerable hours.

This aggressive containment strategy reflects Assam’s urgent push to protect its pig-rearing economy, which has suffered repeated blows due to ASF outbreaks.