Tripura Legislators Inspect Crumbling Khowai–Agartala National Highway, Demand Immediate Repairs and Probe into Alleged Substandard Construction

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, July 25, 2026

Growing public outrage over the deteriorating condition of the Khowai–Agartala National Highway via Subalsing has prompted a high-level inspection by members of the Tripura Legislative Assembly's Estimates Committee, following repeated complaints of severe traffic disruptions and alleged poor-quality construction.

The condition of the highway has become a major concern for commuters, with damaged stretches causing frequent traffic congestion and vehicles getting stranded almost every day. Local residents said even ambulances carrying patients are often forced to remain stuck for long periods, raising serious concerns over public safety and emergency services.

The issue was formally raised by Khowai MLA Nirmal Biswas during the Estimates Committee meeting of the Tripura Legislative Assembly held on July 21. Following discussions, the committee decided to conduct an on-site inspection with senior officials to assess the situation firsthand.

On Friday, the inspection was led by Estimates Committee Chairperson Antara Sarkar Deb, along with MLAs Nirmal Biswas, Moilafru Mog, Biswajit Koloi, and Manab Debbarma. They were accompanied by the Executive Director of NHIDCL, officials of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), engineers of the PWD (National Highways), and administrative officials including the SDMs of Khowai and Mohanpur.

During the visit, detailed discussions were held on measures required to restore the highway to a safe and motorable condition at the earliest. The committee stressed the need for immediate intervention so that commuters no longer face daily hardships.

Significantly, it was pointed out that several stretches between Kamalpur, Khowai, Subalsing and Hezamara had already been officially reported as completed. However, despite being less than a year old, many of these completed stretches have already deteriorated badly, with potholes, uneven surfaces and damaged pavements affecting smooth movement of vehicles.

The rapid deterioration of roads constructed with public funds has raised serious questions over the quality of construction and project supervision. Legislators reportedly observed that the present condition of these newly completed stretches suggests possible deficiencies in workmanship or quality control.

The committee also urged NHIDCL to expedite work on those sections of the highway where construction has not yet commenced. At the same time, members insisted that damaged stretches already declared complete should be reconstructed instead of merely carrying out temporary patchwork repairs.

During the inspection, local residents and commercial vehicle operators also interacted with the legislators, narrating the hardships they face every day due to the poor condition of the highway. Many alleged that corruption and substandard execution were responsible for the rapid deterioration of the road.

The residents and transport operators demanded that authorities identify any contractors, engineers or officials found responsible for alleged irregularities or poor-quality construction and take stringent action against them after a proper investigation. They also called for greater accountability in the execution and monitoring of national highway projects to ensure that public money is not wasted on infrastructure that fails within a short period.

The inspection has once again brought the spotlight on the condition of the Khowai–Agartala National Highway, with growing demands for urgent repairs, transparent quality audits, and accountability to ensure durable and safe road infrastructure across Tripura.

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