A major blockade erupted again on the Churaibari national highway as truck drivers protested slow police vehicle checks, causing days-long traffic jams. Drivers demand faster clearance or scanning machines as authorities struggle to balance anti-smuggling efforts with smooth traffic movement.
Traffic chaos gripped the Churaibari stretch of the national highway once again on Sunday morning as hundreds of truck drivers launched a fresh blockade, protesting the slow pace of police inspections that have left vehicles stranded for nearly a week. This marks the second major road blockade within three days, underscoring the severe frustration among freight operators who claim they are being pushed to the brink by what they describe as “unreasonably delayed vehicle checks.”
According to drivers, the police inspection process at the Churaibari checkpoint has become painfully sluggish, causing trucks to remain idle for six to seven days before they are cleared to cross the border. The prolonged delay has resulted in never-ending traffic congestion on both sides of the Tripura-Assam border, disrupting the movement of goods and causing widespread logistic setbacks.
Drivers say the issue has gradually worsened over the past several months, but the situation has now reached a breaking point. “We cannot survive like this,” one truck operator remarked while standing beside his stranded vehicle. “There are no proper bathing facilities, toilets, or resting arrangements here. We are forced to stay inside our trucks for days without basic amenities. How long can we endure such conditions?”
The protesting drivers are demanding that authorities either accelerate the clearance process or promptly install scanner machines capable of speeding up inspections without compromising security checks. They argue that modern scanning equipment would drastically reduce manual checking time and prevent long queues.
Police, however, face a complicated dilemma. Officials at the Churaibari checkpost argue that comprehensive inspections are essential due to the continuous flow of cannabis being smuggled from Tripura to other states. They emphasize that if vehicles are released without proper checks, drug traffickers could easily exploit the lapse. On the other hand, manually inspecting each truck leads to extensive delays, causing massive traffic jams that affect not only freight carriers but also passenger buses and private vehicles.
A senior officer explained that the continuing challenge lies in balancing two critical responsibilities: maintaining traffic flow and curbing illegal narcotics transport. “If we speed up the process without proper checks, smuggling will increase. If we check every vehicle thoroughly, congestion becomes unmanageable. Both situations affect public interest,” he said.
In an effort to improve the situation, the district police superintendent recently transferred seven officers linked to oversight issues in the smuggling crackdown. Despite the administrative reshuffle, the congestion problem persists. The fundamental challenge remains unchanged — the checkpost has very limited physical space, forcing vehicles to be inspected in a single line. This narrow setup creates a serious bottleneck on both sides of the border.
Truck drivers and transport associations argue that the government already has the infrastructure necessary to ease the gridlock but is not using it effectively. They point to three unused sheds inside the Churaibari Modern Checkpost compound, which they say could be converted into additional inspection zones. Drivers believe that using these sheds would enable simultaneous checking of multiple vehicles instead of processing one truck at a time.
“If the authorities use the existing sheds, at least three or four trucks can be checked simultaneously,” said a transporter. “This would significantly reduce congestion and give us relief from this daily suffering.”
The blockade on Sunday quickly escalated into a major disruption, with lines of trucks stretching for several kilometres. Passengers in buses also faced delays as the halted freight vehicles slowed down all movement on the highway. Some travelers reported being stuck in the traffic jam for hours with no clarity on when the situation would improve.
Local authorities held discussions with representatives of the protesting drivers and assured them that measures would be taken to streamline inspection procedures. However, no immediate long-term solution was announced. Drivers, meanwhile, have warned that unless their concerns are addressed promptly, they may continue their protest in the coming days.
The recurring blockades pose a significant threat to the supply chain, affecting the transportation of essential commodities to and from Tripura. With festive and agricultural seasons approaching, traders fear that prolonged disruptions could lead to shortages and increased market prices.
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As tensions rise, the demand for a modern, efficient, and technology-driven inspection system at Churaibari grows stronger. Without decisive action, the national highway may continue to face repeated blockades, further straining the region’s transport and trade network.
