Prolonged stone supply disruption affects Tripura construction sector

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, August 31, 2026

The continued disruption in the supply of stones to Tripura has left over 100 crusher units in the Dharmanagar subdivision of North Tripura facing operational difficulties, while transporters, workers and traders have also reported financial losses.

The supply disruption, which has continued for nearly three months, has also affected the availability of construction materials. Traders said the shortage was beginning to impact various construction and development activities.

Stakeholders from the stone trade held a meeting on Sunday to discuss the difficulties faced by the industry. The meeting was attended by crusher owners, stone traders, transport workers, vehicle owners and drivers.

Participants alleged that trucks carrying stones from Meghalaya were being stopped at Digarkhal in Assam despite possessing valid documents. They sought intervention to ensure that legally documented consignments were allowed to move.

Transporters in Churaibari also raised concerns over action at the MVI gate against vehicles carrying river stones from Assam. They claimed that water retained by the stones during the monsoon increased the weight of loaded vehicles, resulting in penalties of up to around Rs 22,000.

Stakeholders said transporters were earning only around Rs 1,000-1,500 per vehicle-load of stones, making such penalties particularly burdensome.

The prolonged disruption has also affected families dependent on the trade. Some vehicle owners who purchased trucks through loans or instalments have reportedly struggled to meet repayments, with some vehicles allegedly being seized by finance companies.

The meeting called for coordinated intervention by the Tripura and Assam governments to resolve the problems at Digarkhal and Churaibari and facilitate the movement of stone consignments carrying valid documents.

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