The Assam-Agartala National Highway in North Tripura has become dangerously unfit for travel due to massive potholes, substandard repairs, and illegal stone crushers. Locals demand immediate action as the lifeline road delays travel, endangers lives, and hampers the economy.
The Assam-Agartala National Highway, often referred to as the lifeline of Tripura, has deteriorated to an alarming extent in the North Tripura district, particularly along an 11-kilometre stretch between Churaibari and Bagbasa. Once a vital artery connecting the state to the rest of India, the road has now turned into a virtual death trap, severely hampering transportation and endangering lives.
The condition of the highway has become so poor that the surface is now riddled with large potholes, some of which are deep enough to cause serious damage to vehicles or accidents. Despite being a critical route for the movement of goods and passengers, the stretch has not undergone comprehensive repairs in over three years. Authorities have only resorted to occasional patchworks, which locals claim have done more harm than good due to the use of substandard materials and lack of proper construction standards.
A local source informed that two or three construction agencies recently carried out repair works on the highway just two months ago. The cost of these repairs reportedly stood at nearly ₹1 crore per kilometre. Yet, within a few weeks, the repaired sections began to crumble, and potholes reappeared, raising serious concerns over the quality of the work and potential corruption or negligence involved.
“This is no longer just a road issue; it’s a matter of safety and livelihood,” said a local shopkeeper in Churaibari. “We depend on this road for everything—transporting goods, medical emergencies, and travel. Now it’s almost unusable.”
Truck drivers, who are among the worst affected by the road’s condition, shared their frustrations. “What should be a two-hour journey from Churaibari to Agartala now takes more than five hours,” said one trucker. “The rough terrain increases wear and tear on our vehicles, leading to high maintenance costs. Many of us are suffering financial losses due to delays and damages.”
The issue extends beyond transportation. The dusty and uneven road conditions pose severe health risks, especially during the dry season when dust clouds reduce visibility and cause respiratory issues. During the monsoon, the potholes become waterlogged, turning the stretch into a series of dangerous muddy pools.
Adding to the crisis is the unchecked operation of illegal stone crusher machines on both sides of the highway between Churaibari and Bagbasa. Locals allege that these unregulated crushers contribute significantly to the deterioration of the road by increasing the load on the fragile surface and by producing fine dust particles that settle into the cracks, weakening the road structure further.
TomTom drivers and local pedestrians echoed similar sentiments. “It’s unbearable,” said a local driver. “In dry weather, we are covered in dust; during rains, we have to wade through water-filled potholes. This is no way for a national highway to function.”
Despite repeated complaints and calls for attention, authorities have done little to resolve the crisis. Public resentment is growing, and many now demand accountability for the funds spent on substandard repairs. Citizens are urging the state and central governments to take immediate action to restore the highway with proper planning, monitoring, and quality control mechanisms.
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The people of North Tripura are not merely asking for a road; they are asking for a lifeline to be restored. Unless authorities take urgent and meaningful steps, the situation is bound to worsen, possibly leading to accidents, disruptions in supply chains, and long-term economic damage to the region.
