Agartala, February 16: The Tripura Brick Manufacturers Association on Monday warned that an acute coal shortage could force brick kilns across the state to shut down within the next 10 days if immediate steps are not taken to restore supply.
Association president Bivekananda Choudhury said a meeting of kiln owners was convened to assess the worsening crisis. Coal, the primary fuel for brick production, has not entered the state for the past 15 days. Supplies from Meghalaya and other sources have stopped completely, while coal-laden trucks are no longer arriving. The industry is also not receiving coal through railway routes, he added.
“We are facing a serious crisis. Without coal, there is no viable alternative fuel to sustain operations,” Choudhury said. Several brick kilns have already suspended work after exhausting their stock. Those with limited reserves continue operations, but the association estimates that the remaining coal will last no more than 10 days. “After that, not a single brick kiln will be able to operate,” he cautioned.
The association has appealed to the state government to intervene urgently and facilitate coal transportation through railways or any other suitable channel to prevent a complete shutdown.
Apart from the fuel crunch, the industry is grappling with a shortage of skilled labour this season. Workers responsible for preparing the brick mixture have not arrived on time, reportedly due to various reasons, including election-related disruptions. Most kilns have been affected by the labour shortfall.
Tripura has over 300 brick kilns, of which around 280 are operational. Industry representatives also noted that rising coal prices and sluggish sales in recent years have significantly squeezed profit margins, compounding the sector’s challenges.
