Tripura Almost Cut Off from Rest of India as Landslides and Poor Highway Conditions Cripple Connectivity

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, July 20, 2025

Tripura is facing a severe connectivity crisis as large portions of the National Highway between Churaibari and Agartala

especially across the Longtharai Hill and Atharamura Hill ranges

have become nearly impassable due to numerous landslides triggered by incessant rainfall. With debris and mudflows blocking several critical stretches, vehicular movement has either come to a complete halt or is moving at a snail’s pace, effectively isolating the state from the rest of the country.

Despite the gravity of the situation, maintenance and restoration work is reportedly progressing at an extremely slow pace. Local commuters and transporters have expressed serious concerns over the lack of urgency and preparedness on the part of the concerned agencies.

Adding to the distress, other national highway routes, including the newly constructed Kamalpur–Agartala road via Khowai and the roads in the Jampui Hills region,

are also in alarming condition. Many of these roads were recently developed under national highway expansion projects, yet their rapid degradation has sparked allegations of substandard construction practices.

Locals and travelers allege that most of the construction works carried out by outside contractors do not follow even the basic engineering or safety norms. The absence of proper monitoring by the State Government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been highlighted as a key reason behind the crumbling infrastructure. It has also been pointed out that in violation of standard procedures, no signage boards are present at or near any construction sites in Tripura, boards that should display critical information about the road project, including contractor details and project timelines.

The lack of transparency has left citizens helpless. Many residents living near these failing roadways claim that they have no way to register complaints or reach out to relevant authorities, as no grievance redressal mechanisms have been made available. This administrative vacuum has only deepened the public's frustration.

With Tripura’s vital road arteries in disrepair and no immediate signs of improvement, questions are being raised about accountability, safety, and the future of infrastructure development in the state. Urgent intervention is now necessary to restore connectivity, prevent further isolation, and ensure that national highway construction in Tripura adheres to the quality and safety standards followed elsewhere in the country.

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