The brick manufacturing sector in Tripura is staring at a severe down turn, as industry operators caution units across the state could be forced to cease operations soon.
This warning comes amid a halt in coal supplies from neighbouring Meghalaya and other sources in the last 15 days.
Speaking on the issue, Bivekananda Choudhury, President of the Tripura Brick Manufacturers Association, said that brick kilns across the state are on the verge of closure because coal is no longer arriving from Meghalaya, the primary source of fuel for the sector.
He warned that if the situation continues, production in all remaining kilns will eventually come to a halt.
Bivekananda Choudhury said, “We have been facing a serious problem. The primary fuel for our industry is coal. Coal was brought from Meghalaya and other sources which had stopped completely for the past 15 days. Coal laden lorries are no longer entering the state and through railways as well, we are not receiving any coal.”
“All brick manufacturers have arrived at a decision to shut down operations if fuel is not made available. In absence of adequate fuel we don’t have any other option but to shut our units,” he said.
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Choudhury highlighted that some that some units had already suspended operations after exhausting their reserves.
The association estimates that the stocks available with would run out within the next 10 days maximum. They also alleged that government authorities have imposed restrictions on coal transportation but have failed to provide any practical support or alternative arrangements for kiln owners, warning that if coal imports do not resume soon, nearly 280 operational brick kilns remaining in the state may shut down one after another.
They have therefore urged the state government to intervene and facilitate coal supply through suitable transport channels.
In addition, the sector is facing a severe labor shortage. According to kiln owners, many migrant workers from Bihar, who usually work during the production season, did not arrive this year due to various reasons. This labor scarcity has already forced several units to suspend production.
