Amid soaring prices of essential commodities and a sharp rise in fuel costs, the Assam-Agartala National Highway (NH-8), considered the lifeline of Tripura, has turned into a virtual death trap at several stretches in North Tripura district.
Severely damaged portions of the highway in the Pecharthal, Nabinchhara, Kumarghat, Kacharichhara, and Sidangchhara areas have left hundreds of goods-laden trucks stranded on both sides of the road, disrupting transportation and raising fears of an artificial shortage of essential commodities in the state.
Sources said thousands of commuters are risking their lives daily while travelling along the damaged highway, with local residents living in constant fear of accidents.
Several stretches near Nabinchhara have developed massive craters filled with rainwater due to ongoing pre-monsoon showers, making them resemble small ponds. In many places, portions of the road have caved in completely, while the asphalt surface has eroded, exposing sharp stones underneath. Night travel on the highway has become extremely dangerous.
Local residents alleged that the highway has remained in a deplorable condition for several months, despite repeated appeals to the authorities for urgent repairs. School students, office-goers, ambulances carrying patients, and daily commuters are all being forced to travel through the risky stretch every day.
The situation has particularly affected trucks transporting essential commodities from other parts of the country. Many vehicles have remained stranded for days, causing disruptions in the supply chain ahead of the monsoon season and contributing to rising prices in Agartala markets.
According to locals, accidents have become a regular occurrence on the highway.
“Two to three accidents are taking place here every day. Last week, a truck overturned on the road. Motorcyclists are suffering fractures after skidding into potholes. Are our lives worth nothing?” a resident alleged.
Another commuter said vehicles often face head-on collision risks while attempting to avoid the huge potholes.
“Fuel consumption is increasing, vehicle parts are getting damaged, and travelling has become extremely stressful. How long can this continue?” he questioned.
National Highway-8 is Tripura’s primary road link with the rest of the country and plays a crucial role in transporting fuel, food grains, vegetables, and other daily necessities. The poor condition of the highway is reportedly delaying the movement of goods and worsening inflationary pressure in the state.
Officials of the NH division under the Public Works Department (PWD), when contacted, said repair work could not be undertaken immediately due to the monsoon season. They assured that renovation work would begin after the rains, but no specific timeline was provided.
Meanwhile, concerns are also mounting over alleged hoarding of essential commodities by a section of traders taking advantage of the transportation crisis. Despite sufficient stock of food items in the state, prices of edible oil, pulses, vegetables, and other essentials continue to rise sharply.
Sources alleged that hoarding activities are rampant in Maharajganj Bazar and other markets in Agartala, while enforcement drives by the Food Department and the state administration remain inadequate.
Residents have urged the authorities to immediately repair the damaged highway and launch strict market monitoring drives to control hoarding and soaring prices of essential commodities.