Tripura CM Dr. Manik Saha informs Assembly that 204.45 km of roads have been upgraded to double-lane standards, while new flyover projects, highway widening plans and ADB-fundFed road proposals are being pursued based on traffic needs, land availability and financial resources.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha informed the state Legislative Assembly on Monday that 204.45 kilometres of roads have already been upgraded to double-lane standards, while further highway widening projects will be taken up in phases depending on land availability, technical feasibility and financial resources.
The Chief Minister made the statement while responding to a question raised by BJP MLA Tafajjal Hossain, who sought faster development of major road corridors across the state. The MLA also proposed an alternative alignment for the Bishramganj–Melaghar–Sonamura–Belonia highway, suggesting that the route could pass through Bishalgarh, Boxanagar and Sonamura.
According to the MLA, the alternative alignment could benefit residents of three constituencies while also helping reduce risks associated with flooding along the Gomati river embankment. Responding to the proposal, Dr. Saha said routes involving Bishalgarh, Boxanagar and the Amtali–Sabroom corridor are already being considered for development as full double-lane roads, subject to the availability of funds.
Road connectivity and flyover development also featured prominently during the Assembly discussion. CPI(M) MLA Dipankar Sen suggested expanding the flyover network in Agartala and exploring the possibility of metro connectivity to Udaipur, Teliamura and the airport.
The Chief Minister clarified that there is currently no proposal to extend the existing airport flyover towards Amtali. Instead, the government has proposed a 3.985-kilometre double-lane flyover connecting Fire Brigade Chowmuhani, CAD Chowmuhani, Shankar Chowmuhani and Durga Chowmuhani, passing over Katartal and extending up to Radhanagar Bus Stand, with connectivity towards Battala.
Dr. Saha said feasibility studies, layout planning and preparations related to land acquisition for the proposed flyover have already begun. The project will proceed after receiving approval from the Finance Department.
The Chief Minister also referred to an earlier proposal for a 2.905-kilometre flyover from IGM Chowmuhani to Circuit House, which was estimated to cost ₹593.33 crore. However, the proposal faced difficulties because of existing buildings along the proposed alignment. As a result, the government began examining an alternative route. An amount of ₹65 crore had already been sanctioned for land acquisition related to the earlier proposal.
The discussion further covered road connectivity in several remote and hilly areas. Tipra Motha MLA Sanjay Tripura demanded double-laning of the Karbook–Shantirbazar and Tirthamukh–Gandacherra shortcut routes. In response, Dr. Saha said the Santirbazar (NH-08) to NH-208 route has been proposed to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for financial support.
MLAs also sought updates on other important road projects, including the Ambassa–Gandacherra, Gandacherra–Amarpur through Thalchara, and Champaknagar–Udaipur through Jampuijala routes.
Dr. Saha emphasised that road widening projects cannot be sanctioned solely on the basis of demands from individual constituencies. He said road development must follow standards prescribed by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC), with traffic intensity assessed through Passenger Car Units (PCU).
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The Chief Minister assured the Assembly that the government would continue examining proposals for road widening, highway development and flyover construction based on traffic requirements, technical feasibility, land availability and financial resources. The government’s approach, he indicated, would focus on strengthening connectivity while ensuring that major infrastructure projects remain technically and financially viable.
