Around 300 brick kilns in Tripura are on the verge of closure within 10 days

Agartala: Nearly 300 brick kilns in Tripura may shut down in the next 10 days as coal supplies to the state have been disrupted for the past 15 days, the Tripura Brick Manufacturers Association said on Monday.

Of the more than 300 brick kilns in the state, approximately 280 are currently operational, while the rest are closed for various reasons. The association said that the remaining coal stock with kiln owners will not last more than 10 days, raising the possibility of a complete halt in production.

Association President Vivekananda Choudhary said that a meeting of kiln owners was held to discuss the worsening situation. He said that coal, the main fuel used in the industry, has not arrived in the state for the past 15 days. Chaudhary said, “We are facing a severe crisis because coal, the main fuel for our industry, is not reaching the state. Supplies from Meghalaya and other sources have completely stopped for the last 15 days. Coal-laden trucks are not coming to Tripura, and we are not receiving any consignments from the railways either.”

He said that some units have already suspended operations after their reserves were exhausted. He said, “Those that still have old stocks are somehow managing, but those that have exhausted them have already shut down. According to our estimates, the existing stock will be exhausted in a maximum of 10 days, and after that, not a single brick kiln will be able to operate.”

The association has decided to suspend operations if the fuel supply is not restored. Chaudhary said, “If the required fuel is not available, we will have no choice but to shut down our units.” He appealed to the state government to facilitate the movement of coal through railways or other suitable modes of transport to help the industry overcome this crisis. He said that in addition to fuel shortages, the sector is also grappling with a shortage of skilled labor this season. Workers preparing the mixture used in brick-making have been unable to arrive on time for various reasons, with some reportedly arriving late due to election work.

Chaudhary further explained that brick sales have been low for the past few years. Rising coal prices have reduced profit margins, and demand has fallen sharply, further exacerbating the difficulties faced by kiln owners.