Bangladesh is likely to resume coal import from India in a week and half as a tribunal in the neighbouring country lifted a ban imposed since June.
However, the tribunal ordered the Meghalaya authorities to export only from the already extracted coals and not to go for any fresh extraction.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in India, which imposed the ban after environmental concerns due to coal extraction, said the current withdrawal would only remain effective till November 30 and the export must be completed by the time.
There will be no further extensions by NGT for transportation of coals unless the state government provides a mining plan for the state, according to the court order.
During its hearing on July 31, the NGT also fixed September 30 as deadline for payment of royalty.
The next hearing will be held on 29th and 30th of September in Shillong, the capital city of Indian state of Meghalaya from which Bangladesh imports the coal.
As the bar was lifted, Bangladesh can now import coals from Meghalaya, which has a rich deposit of high quality coals, according to Sylhet Coal Importers Group.
It said the coal import through six major land stations would resume in a week,
Coal is mainly imported through Tamabil, Bholaganj, Sutarkandi, Barchara, Charagaon and Bogla borders of Sylhet.
“The NGT has delivered the judgment for export of the extra coal which was already extracted. But no new coal can be exported,” Group President Falah Uddin Ahmed told Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
He, however, said the coal cannot be imported right now as there are still rains in the hilly state.
“Transport movement is being hampered by heavy rain. It may take more 10-12 days to resume the import.” The import of Meghalaya coal was suspended for several times. Since June it has remained suspended.
“The Meghalaya coal extracted already can meet Bangladesh demand for next two years,” Falah Uddin said, adding Bangladesh brick kilns hugely suffered due to the import suspension.
He said it also unemployed a large number of labourers in Bangladesh.
According to the Coal Importers Group, Bangladesh imports around 42 lakh tonnes of coal annually, of which, the Meghalaya coal accounts for half the amount because of its high quality.
While Barapukuria mines supply 10-12 lakh tonnes, the remaining demand is met by charcoal.