Outside Contractor Abandons Half-Built Smoke House in Kathalia Raipara; Locals Appeal to Media Demanding Completion

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, July 23, 2025

In a serious instance of negligence, the construction of a vital smoke house project in Kathalia Raipara ADC Village under the Shantir Bazar subdivision of South Tripura has come to a complete halt, prompting local residents to seek help from the media in demand of its completion.The project, initiated in 2024 by the South District Zonal Office on land belonging to local resident Jyotilal Reang, had initially raised hopes among villagers. The smoke house, once completed, was expected to benefit the entire ADC population of the region by supporting rubber processing and boosting local livelihoods. Residents were enthusiastic when the construction began after rubber trees on the selected plot were cleared.

However, work on the smoke house was abruptly stopped several months ago, and the site has since remained abandoned. According to local sources, a contractor from outside Tripura was entrusted with the project. The villagers allege that the contractor left the work unfinished after drawing funds, effectively fleeing the site and leaving behind substandard construction. The portion of the work completed so far has been described by locals as poor in quality and structurally weak.Further revelations suggest that the same company was awarded contracts for 16 projects in various ADC areas, yet not a single one of them has reached completion, according to local residents. Community members now demand immediate intervention from the ADC administration to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure that the projects are completed with proper quality control.

Locals are hopeful that swift administrative action will bring accountability and that the smoke house, along with other delayed projects, will finally be completed for the benefit of the tribal communities residing in the ADC areas. All eyes are now on the ADC authority's next steps to resolve this growing concern.

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