Agartala, July 22:Amid growing concerns over the deteriorating condition of National Highway (NH) stretches between Kumarghat and Churaibari in Unakoti and North Tripura districts, the Tripura government has directed the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to expedite repair work and ensure completion ahead of Durga Puja.
On Saturday, PWD Secretary Kiran Gitte, accompanied by senior officials from both NHIDCL and the State PWD, conducted an on-ground inspection of the affected stretch. This visit follows Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha’s earlier directive to prioritize repairs of critical roadways, including national highways, which have been heavily damaged during the monsoon season. “I travelled over 400 km on Saturday, covering areas from Khowai to Kamalpur and Churaibari via Manu and Kumarghat. The Kumarghat–Churaibari section is in dire need of immediate repairs due to heavy monsoon damage,” Gitte told PTI.
He added that NHIDCL has been instructed to complete all repair work before Durga Puja and to deploy senior-level officials to assess the situation on-site.
Gitte also noted a disparity in road conditions, pointing out that state highways and PWD-maintained roads are currently in better condition than national highways overseen by NHIDCL, which largely relies on subcontractors.
In a parallel development, West Tripura MP and former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on July 23, urging immediate intervention. “We plan to construct durable RCC roads capable of withstanding Tripura’s intense rainfall. I’ve requested the Union Minister to dispatch a high-level team for quality assessment and to identify faults, ensuring strict corrective actions,” Deb shared in a Facebook post following the meeting.
The state government’s proactive push comes amid public frustration over road conditions. It aims to ensure safe and efficient travel ahead of one of the region’s most significant festivals.