Poor Quality Construction Behind Kamalpur–Khowai–Agartala National Highway's Deterioration, Contractors to Bear Reconstruction Cost, Says PWD Secretary
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, July 31, 2026
Tripura Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary Kiran Gitte, IAS has acknowledged that poor-quality construction at several stretches of the Kamalpur–Khowai–Agartala National Highway is responsible for its present deteriorated condition. He announced that all substandard portions of the highway will be reconstructed at the expense of the contractors, without imposing any additional financial burden on the government.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Gitte admitted that the condition of the highway has caused widespread inconvenience to commuters, particularly during the ongoing monsoon. Continuous rainfall has turned several under-construction stretches into muddy tracks, resulting in severe traffic congestion, long delays, and safety concerns for both passenger and commercial vehicles.
The PWD Secretary stated that the government has identified locations where the quality of construction failed to meet the required standards. Contractors responsible for the deficient work have been directed to completely dismantle and rebuild those stretches at their own cost. He made it clear that the government would not accept compromised construction quality in any part of the project.
Gitte explained that reconstruction work requires removing the defective road surface and rebuilding it from the base. Heavy rainfall has complicated the process by softening the soil and creating muddy conditions, temporarily affecting traffic movement. However, he emphasized that these difficulties are temporary and are part of the corrective measures being undertaken to ensure a durable and high-quality highway.
He further informed that the state government is closely monitoring the progress of the project and has instructed all executing agencies to expedite the work as soon as weather conditions improve. Temporary repairs are also being carried out at the worst-affected locations to ease traffic and reduce hardship for commuters.
Acknowledging public frustration, Gitte said the poor condition of several stretches including, Ranirbazar, Champaknagar has led to daily traffic jams, hours-long delays, and increased risks of accidents during the monsoon. He assured that strict quality control measures have now been put in place to ensure that all new and reconstruction work meets prescribed engineering standards.
The PWD Secretary expressed confidence that once the reconstruction and widening works are completed, all the 8 national highways including the Kamalpur–Khowai–Agartala National Highways will emerge as a modern, wider, and safer transport corridor. The upgraded highways is expected to significantly improve connectivity across Tripura, reduce travel time, and provide long-term benefits for commuters, businesses, and the state's overall economic development.
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