Agartala : Tripura’s brick manufacturing sector is staring at a potential shutdown after coal supplies from neighbouring Meghalaya and other sources abruptly stopped over the past 15 days, leaving kiln owners struggling to sustain operations.

The industry, which depends heavily on coal-fired kilns for production, has reported that not a single truck carrying coal has entered the state in the last fortnight. The disruption has triggered an acute fuel shortage, forcing several units to suspend operations while others run on rapidly depleting reserves.

Vivekananda Choudhury, president of the Tripura Brick Kiln Association, said the sector currently has no alternative mechanism to transport coal into the state by rail, making it entirely reliant on road supplies.

“Not a single truck carrying coal has entered Tripura in the last fortnight,” Choudhury said at a meeting with kiln owners from across the state. “Within the next week, no brick kiln in Tripura will be capable of running if alternative supplies are not arranged.”

300 Units at Risk

Tripura has around 300 brick kiln units that supply essential construction materials across the state and provide employment to thousands of workers. The sector plays a crucial role in supporting infrastructure projects and private construction activity.

However, production has already dropped sharply due to the twin challenges of coal scarcity and a shortage of skilled labour. Industry representatives said that many workers from Bihar, who form a significant part of the kiln workforce, have not returned this season, compounding operational difficulties.

The ongoing fuel crisis has further tightened margins for kiln owners, many of whom were already grappling with high coal prices and sluggish sales. With fixed costs mounting and production slowing, operators warn of significant financial losses if supplies are not restored immediately.

The Tripura Brick Kiln Association has urged the state government to intervene on an urgent basis by facilitating alternative coal supply routes or introducing support mechanisms to prevent a widespread industrial shutdown.

Industry representatives cautioned that a prolonged disruption could not only jeopardise livelihoods but also affect construction activity across Tripura, potentially driving up the cost of building materials.

With reserves expected to run out within days, kiln owners say swift administrative action will be critical to stabilising the sector and safeguarding employment in the state’s construction-linked economy.