Brick kilns in Tripura are currently confronting a significant coal shortage, as stated by Bivekananda Chowdhury, the President of the Tripura Brick Fields Manufacturing Association (TBFMA). This crisis stems from a disruption in coal supply from Meghalaya that has persisted for the past two weeks. In response to this alarming situation, a meeting was convened among kiln owners to evaluate the ongoing crisis, which poses a real threat to the operational viability of the 280 brick kilns in the region. Chowdhury emphasized the severity of the problem, noting that coal, which is essential for the industry, has been unavailable for two weeks. Previously, the kilns relied on coal procurement from Meghalaya and other vendors; however, this supply chain has been severed. There are currently no coal-laden trucks entering Tripura and no consignment deliveries occurring through railways. The coal supply disruption is linked to a blast that occurred at an illegal coal mine in the Thangsku area of the East Jaintia Hills district on February 5, further exacerbating the situation for the brick manufacturing sector in Tripura.
