Despite the improvement of overall flood situation severe crisis of fuel and essential commodities appear imminent as the National Highway that passes through Atharamura Hills has been rendered out of bound for any vehicular movement due to massive cracks on the road . The cracks were developed due to incessant rains . Another road- Kailasahar- Kamalpur-Khowai-Agartala the could have been used for to and fro vehicular movements from Agartala to other parts of the northern districts is also not available as the road sunk several feet at Saikar area.
The latest cracks on NH 8 developed at 47 miles area of Atharamura . The district administration immediately restricted vehicular movement on Thursday.
The crack was first noticed on Thursday afternoon, and similar cracks were later found at the 45 miles area. In addition to the cracks, soil erosion at multiple points along the edges of the road has been reported, officials said.
Upon receiving information, the Teliamura sub-divisional administration, along with police forces, rushed to the site to assess the situation. Following an on-site inspection, a report was sent to District Magistrate , Khowai- Chandni Chandran.
Later in the evening, the District Magistrate issued an order suspending vehicular movement on the NH-08 at 47 miles area. As per the order, the restriction will remain in force until the nearly 9-foot-wide crack is repaired, to prevent any major accidents.
Meanwhile, the Public Works Department (PWD) has already begun repairs on the highway in a war-footing manner.
Allegations have surfaced that the contracted firm from outside the state used substandard materials in the NH construction and irregularity led to the situation.
Going by the depth and width of the cracks and the nature of them at the face of it the road repair allowing traffic will take some days.
