Ration Vehicles Unable to Reach Village Due to Dilapidated Road, PDS Outlet Shifted to Temple Premises in Melaghar
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, July 19, 2026
A severe road connectivity crisis in rural Tripura has forced the temporary relocation of a Public Distribution System (PDS) ration outlet after ration delivery vehicles failed to reach a village near Melaghar due to the deplorable condition of the approach road.
The incident occurred at Telkajla Baradepa under Baniyachhara Gram Panchayat, where residents say the road has become virtually impassable, particularly during the monsoon. With trucks carrying essential food grains unable to access the village, authorities shifted the ration outlet to the nearby Telkajla Kalibari to ensure uninterrupted distribution of subsidised food items to beneficiaries.
Villagers alleged that the road has remained in a neglected state for a long time despite repeated appeals for repairs. They said the damaged stretch has severely disrupted daily life, affecting transportation, access to essential services and the movement of emergency and supply vehicles. Elderly residents, women and persons with disabilities are among those facing the greatest hardship, as they now have to travel to the temple premises to collect their monthly ration.
Residents have demanded immediate intervention from the administration to repair and reconstruct the road, stating that restoring all-weather connectivity is essential for ensuring uninterrupted public services and improving the quality of life in the area.
The issue surfaced on the same day that Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha inspected several ongoing Smart City road and drainage projects in Agartala along with Chief Secretary JK Sinha, IAS, PWD Secretary Kiran Gitte, IAS, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor Dipak Majumder, senior government officials and members of the media.
Travelling in a Tourism Department bus during the inspection, the Chief Minister highlighted the importance of public transport, saying that reducing dependence on private vehicles can help ease traffic congestion, lower fuel consumption and minimise environmental pollution. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to developing Agartala into a modern, clean and environmentally sustainable city through improved roads, drainage infrastructure and enhanced public spaces.
Dr. Saha reviewed the progress of Smart Road works from Bidurkarta Chowmuhani to Purbasha and adjoining areas and instructed officials to maintain quality standards while completing all ongoing projects before the upcoming Durga Puja festival.
Reacting to the Chief Minister's urban infrastructure inspection, Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury urged him to visit rural areas to assess the condition of village roads firsthand. He alleged that roads in several parts of the state, including Kamalpur, Khowai to Agartala and other regions, are in poor condition, making travel difficult for the public. Chaudhury also claimed that several road projects suffer from poor construction quality and deteriorate within months, attributing the problem to alleged irregularities in project execution.
The contrasting developments have renewed discussions over the need for balanced infrastructure development across Tripura. While the government continues to prioritise urban modernisation under the Smart City initiative, the situation in Telkajla Baradepa has highlighted the urgent need to improve rural road connectivity to ensure that essential public services reach every village without disruption.
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