SHILLONG: The export of coal from Meghalaya to Bangladesh has seen a huge drop in the recent times due to frequent agitations called by various pressure groups demanding implementation of ILP in the State.
A coal exporter on condition of anonymity said that frequent night road blockades, bandhs called by the pro-ILP groups have affected the export of various minerals to Bangladesh especially coal.
Earlier, nearly 500 coal laden trucks used to carry coal every day, now only 150 trucks are ferrying coal from Meghalaya to Bangladesh through the six routes from the state, a Customs department official said on Thursday.
“Normally, this is the peak season for export of coal to Bangladesh. But this year, the export of various minerals to the neighbouring nation did not pick up,” a coal exporter said on Thursday.
According to the coal exporter, the drop in the export activities has not only affected the exporters but even the truckers, loaders and all those who are directly or indirectly involved in the business.
Meanwhile, sources reveal that the drop in export ranges between 30 to 40 per cent in Borsora and a whopping 50 per cent in Dawki.
The drop in revenue would be a little over a crore daily, informed some exporters.
Even importers are facing the brunt as they too incur losses on account of the drop in exports from Meghalaya.
“Import went down by more than 60 per cent in last one month and a half,” said Chandan Saha, general secretary of Sylhet Coal Importers Group. Strikes and blockades are taking a heavy toll on businesses, he added.
