Minor Showers Now Enough to Flood City Roads: Planned Smart City’s Unplanned Drainage Work Triggers Waterlogging Crisis in Agartala
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, April 28, 2026
The push to transform Agartala into a Smart City has come under scrutiny, as unplanned and unscientific drainage construction has begun to create widespread waterlogging across the city, even after light rainfall.
Residents in several parts of the city report that minor showers are now enough to flood roads, disrupting both pedestrian movement and vehicular traffic. The situation became particularly evident following a recent spell of Kalbaishakhi rain, which exposed growing weaknesses in the city’s drainage infrastructure.
One of the worst-affected stretches is the road from Lichubagan to VIP Road. Previously, this area rarely experienced waterlogging during light rains. However, the replacement of older, wider open drains, once 8 to 10 feet wide, with narrower covered drains of just 4 to 5 feet has significantly reduced water-carrying capacity. As a result, areas near Albert Ekka Park now experience water accumulation soon after rainfall.
While stagnant water recedes relatively quickly in some parts of the city, several key administrative and public zones continue to suffer prolonged waterlogging. Areas surrounding the West District Magistrate’s office, Bir Chandra State Library, and East Police Station Road remain inundated for extended periods, raising serious concerns about urban planning and execution.
Experts and local observers point to a more serious underlying issue in areas such as Airport Road and Borjala Road. Natural drainage channels, locally known as 'charas', which once played a crucial role in water discharge, have reportedly been encroached upon, filled in, and even sold off illegally. In some cases, government land beneath and around bridges has allegedly been occupied and converted, effectively blocking natural water flow.
As a result, there is no alternative drainage route, leaving rainwater trapped on roads. Citizens fear that unless corrective measures are taken urgently, even moderate rainfall in the coming days could severely disrupt daily life, posing greater risks to commuters and residents alike.
The situation, clearly demonstrated by the recent light storm, has intensified calls for immediate intervention, scientific planning, and strict action against illegal encroachments to restore Agartala’s drainage system.
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