Stone industry boom in Burimari
Sabbir Hossain, Hatibandha, (Lalmonirhat)
In northern Bangladesh, the small town of Burimari has become a major center for the country’s stone industry. Despite poor transport links with Dhaka, its location near India helped it grow. About 25% of Bangladesh’s stone trade now flows through Burimari’s land port, which opened in 1988 to boost trade with India, Bhutan, and Nepal.
Every month, more than 1500 trucks bring in coal, chemicals, and food from neighboring countries, while exporting medicines and dried fish. But the biggest business here is stone.
Large stones from India are brought to Burimari. Over 1,200 machines crush them into smaller pieces, creating jobs for around 30,000 workers (40% women). Each machine employs 12–15 people, who earn 500–600 taka a day. Most workers travel daily by train from nearby areas.
The stone industry in Burimari has created many jobs, helping hotels, transport, and banks grow. Local farmers earn 10–12 times more money by renting land to businesses instead of farming. Crushed stones from here are sent across Bangladesh for building roads and houses. However, the area faces big problems, pollution from dust and loud machines causes breathing issues for residents.
Workers and business owners say the government gives them no support. Bashir Mia, a worker, says the job is dangerous but he has no choice. Businessman Sarafat Hossain adds that stone is vital for Bangladesh’s growth, but the government ignores them. Agriculture officer Harun Mia warns that farmland is shrinking as locals prefer renting it out for profit instead of growing crops.
Experts say better rules and infrastructure could make Burimari’s stone industry bigger—and safer. For now, it’s a mix of opportunity and struggle, driving the economy but harming health.
“We survive on our own,” says a labor union leader. “It’s time the government noticed.”
