Sachin Sharma
The North News
Manali, March 28
The conflict in West Asia is beginning to have a local impact in Himachal Pradesh, where higher coal costs are pushing up brick prices. In Kullu district, bricks now cost ₹12 each, up from ₹10, making house construction more expensive. The hike, driven by inflationary pressures, is expected to make house construction more expensive and place an added financial burden on individuals planning to build homes.
Officials said the state already has limited local brick production, making it heavily reliant on supplies from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. At the same time, the cost of coal used in brick kilns has surged significantly. Coal, largely imported from countries such as the United States, Indonesia and South Africa, has seen prices jump from ₹10,000–₹13,000 per tonne to nearly ₹30,000 per tonne, directly impacting brick manufacturing costs.
Raghav Sohal, a brick supplier in Kullu, said the ₹2 per brick increase has raised the cost of a tractor-load of bricks by around ₹2,000. He added that those undertaking large-scale construction projects are facing additional financial pressure, with the total cost of building a house likely to increase by ₹30,000 to ₹40,000.
Brick trader Rajesh Sharma said prices of bricks sourced from other states have also increased, prompting a similar hike locally. He attributed the rise to reduced coal supply due to the ongoing conflict, which has affected production in brick kilns. Sharma also cautioned that inflation may rise further in the coming days if the situation continues.
