Barajala–Airport Road Blocked Despite DM’s Notification, Traffic Management Faces Questions on Saptami Evening

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, October 17, 2026

The sudden blocking of the Agartala’s Barajala–Airport Road on Saptami evening, despite a notification from the District Magistrate of West Tripura declaring the road open for public use, has triggered concerns over traffic management and coordination between the district administration and the traffic police.

According to a complaint raised on October 17, traffic police personnel placed restrictions on the road from the evening, inconveniencing commuters. A request was made to the concerned traffic authorities to look into the matter and ensure public movement in accordance with the DM’s notification, unless a separate valid restriction had been imposed.

The incident has intensified criticism of traffic management in Agartala, where commuters are reportedly facing frequent congestion on major roads, including the flyover. Questions have also been raised over the alleged distribution of no-entry passes without adequate scrutiny and the movement of vehicle convoys carrying VIPs, ministers, MLAs and MPs through busy roads while ordinary commuters face restrictions.

Critics are asking whether traffic regulations are being enforced uniformly or whether the existing system gives undue priority to VIP movement at the expense of the general public. They have also questioned whether the traffic department is adequately coordinating with the district administration while implementing road restrictions.

The growing congestion, including long queues on the flyover built to ease traffic pressure, has further fuelled public dissatisfaction. Critics argue that effective traffic management requires transparent rules for special passes, proper coordination between authorities and equal consideration for ordinary commuters.

The Barajala–Airport Road dispute has now brought the issue of administrative coordination into sharper focus, with commuters expecting clarity on why a road declared open for public use was reportedly blocked. The traffic authorities’ response and clarification regarding the restrictions are awaited.

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