NHIDCL MD to Visit Tripura on August 10
In a significant development, the Central Government has initiated action following a formal appeal from Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha regarding the deteriorating condition of a key National Highway stretch in the state. A high-level team from the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), led by its Managing Director Dr. Krishna Kumar, is scheduled to visit Tripura on August 10 to assess the situation.
The move follows a letter sent by the Chief Minister to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on May 10, flagging the poor condition of the 12-kilometre stretch of National Highway from Kamalpur to Khowai—an important alternative corridor in the state’s road network.
Responding to the concern, Minister Gadkari in a letter dated July 22 informed Dr. Saha that a technical team from the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) had already conducted an on-ground inspection of the road between June 23 and 27. A comprehensive report from CRRI is expected to be submitted to the Union Ministry by August 15.
To follow up on the findings and accelerate the pace of repair and construction, NHIDCL Managing Director Dr. Krishna Kumar will undertake a field visit across National Highway sites in Tripura on August 10.
Sources in the state government confirmed that Chief Minister Dr. Saha has maintained consistent communication with the Union Minister, both in writing and through multiple telephonic conversations, underscoring the urgent need to restore this crucial route. The Chief Minister has also instructed Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary Kiran Gitte to coordinate closely with central agencies and monitor the matter personally.
Adding weight to the demand, Lok Sabha MP and former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb had also met Nitin Gadkari recently, presenting a detailed report on the state of National Highways in northern Tripura. During the meeting, Deb reportedly raised concerns over alleged irregularities in NHIDCL work and urged the Union Minister to replace brick-based roadwork with durable RCC construction.
Sources said Minister Gadkari assured Deb that the Ministry would take the concerns seriously and ensure appropriate action.
With both the state leadership and central representatives pushing for urgent intervention, the upcoming NHIDCL review is expected to bring clarity and momentum to much-needed highway restoration in Tripura.
Another report pointed out that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H), which is primarily responsible for the development and maintenance of National Highways, has constructed 16,207 Km of National Highways in the NER. As on 01.04.2025, 12 railway projects (08 New Line and 04 Doubling) of total length of 777 Km costing Rs. 69,342 crore falling partly/fully in NER have been sanctioned by the Ministry of Railways, out of which, 278 km has been commissioned and an expenditure of Rs. 41,676 crore has been incurred up to March 2025.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, 17,637 road works of 89,436 Km and 2398 bridges have been sanctioned in NER, out of which, 16,469 road works of 80,933 Km and 2108 bridges have been completed. For providing high bandwidth capacity internet/broadband connectivity and mobile services to remote and rural villages in the NER, a number of steps and projects have been taken up with funding from the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). 6355 Gram Panchayats have been made service ready under the BharatNet project in NER.
In addition, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) is also providing financial assistance to the eight North Eastern States to take up developmental projects, linked to infrastructure development, connectivity, communication etc.,under the five Central Sector Schemes of NESIDS (Roads), NESIDS (OTRI), PM-DevINE, Schemes of North Eastern Council (NEC) and Special Development Packages (SDPs).
|Also Read : Initiatives taken for the development of NE |
|Also Read : NHIDCL assesses Tripura highway damage; NIT Agartala to draft restoration plan |
