Silchar, July 1: Uncertainty clouds the export of coal from India to Bangladesh through the border checkpoints of Dawki in Meghalaya and Suterkandi under Karimganj district in south Assam. The bulk import of coal from Meghalaya has stopped with effect from today.

According to a source in the Karimganj District Exporters and Importers Association at the border town of Karimganj, a ban was imposed by the Bangladesh authorities on the import of coal from Meghalaya.

Brick kilns in Bangladesh mainly use coal from Meghalaya. The ban was imposed on the grounds that such combustible coal contains a high rate of sulphur, ranging between four and eight per cent.

According to the Bangladesh commerce ministry, such high sulphur content in coal is extremely harmful as it tends to pollute the air.

The stalemate has arisen since the Bangladesh ministry of commerce did not renew the agreement with the Bangladesh Coal Importers Association, which off-loads much of its coal requirements from Meghalaya and Assam. The agreement lapsed yesterday.

Coal from Indonesia and Australia contains an extremely low sulphur content of one per cent. Though it will be a costlier option, the Bangladesh government will now import coal in bulk from Indonesia and Australia.

According to an estimate prepared by the central land customs department, India exports eight lakh metric tonnes of such low-ash but high-sulphur coal from Meghalaya annually through the Dawki and Suterkandi border checkpoints.

During the peak season, 250 coal-laden trucks are despatched daily from Karimganj to Suterkandi along the National Highway 151. At present, this being the slack season, 10 trucks are despatched everyday.