Agartala: Nearly 300 brick kilns in Tripura are facing closure within the next 10 days as coal supplies to the state have remained suspended for the past 15 days, the Tripura Brick Manufacturers Association said on Monday.
Of the more than 300 brick kilns in the state, around 280 are currently operational, while the rest are closed for various reasons. The association said the remaining coal stock with kiln owners would not last beyond 10 days, raising the prospect of a complete halt in production.
Association president Bivekananda Choudhury said a meeting of kiln owners was held to deliberate on the worsening situation. He stated that coal, the principal fuel used by the industry, had not entered the state for the last 15 days.
“We are going through a severe crisis as coal, which is the main fuel for our industry, has not been reaching the state. Supplies from Meghalaya and other sources have come to a complete stop for the past 15 days. Coal-laden trucks are not entering Tripura, and we are also not receiving any consignments through railways,” Choudhury said.
He indicated that some units had already suspended operations after exhausting their reserves. “Those who still have old stocks are managing to continue, but those who have run out have already shut down. As per our assessment, the available stock will be exhausted within a maximum of 10 days, and after that, not a single brick kiln will be in a position to operate,” he said.
The association has resolved to cease operations if fuel supply is not restored. “If adequate fuel is not made available, we will have no alternative but to shut down our units,” Choudhury said, urging the state government to facilitate the movement of coal through railways or any other suitable mode of transport to help the industry tide over the crisis.
Apart from fuel constraints, the sector is also grappling with a shortage of skilled labour this season, he said. Workers responsible for preparing the mixture used in brick-making have not arrived on time for various reasons, with some reportedly delayed due to elections.
Choudhury further noted that brick sales have remained subdued over the past few years. Rising coal prices have reduced profit margins, and demand has declined sharply, adding to the challenges faced by kiln owners.