AGARTALA, December 17 (TIWN): The National Highway 44 (NH-44) of the so called Golden Era state Tripura in a bad shape since the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (MoRTH) handed over the development and maintenance work of 104 km of the Assam Agartala National Highway (NH-44) to the PWD from Border Roads Organization (BRO) in July 16th, 2013.

The condition of the NH-44 is getting worse day-by-day due to the negligence of PWD officials. And undoubtedly, the CPI (M) and its left front govt. have got another pathway for the central fund embezzlement, that comes here in Tripura for the maintenance work of the NH 44 road.     

Earlier, when the maintenance work of NH-44 was under Border Roads Organization (BRO) the maintenance work was progressing in a rapid speed. But then, the PWD expressed dissatisfaction over the Assam—Agartala National Highway (NH 44) into four lanes and made out another opportunity for central fund embezzlement. According to a highly placed sources, at present the PWD officials and some Melarmath bigheads are on a race to embezzle funds sanctioned by the central government for the welfare of the state.

The source further mentioned that, it was a preplanned mission of some ministers of the state that how to snatch the maintenance work of NH-44 from BRO and to hand over it to State Govt run PWD. Because when the maintenance work of NH-44 was under BRO, ruling party machineries of the state were unable to embezzle the funds provided by the central government for the maintenance work. Now there is now one to stop them from embezzling the central funds and increasing the CPI (M) party fund, the source added.

According to sources, the National Highway- Dharmanagar to Panisagar, Jirania Block Tri-Junction, Champaknagar, Dolubari, Kumarghat to Pecharthal and Chandraipara have become very dangerous. "The condition of the NH- 44 is such a bad shape in some spots, it could be snapped anytime", the source added.

The deplorable condition of National Highway 44  the only road connectivity that links mainland India with the eastern part of Meghalaya, Barak Valley in Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura  has for a long time now remained a harrowing experience for helpless commuters.
Frequent disruption of vehicular movement, seasonal landslides and alarmingly high rates of tragic accidents that claims scores of lives, have become the order of the day, but so far none of the authorities responsible for the day-to-day upkeep of the arterial road have come to the rescue of the commuters.

The present road turns from its original shape into a muddy or dusty road, depending on whether it is sunny or rainy, and the commuters have no option but to travel through this long stretch of “jumpy bumpy” road full of potholes and boulders, at times risking their own life, while on other occasions, putting their lives and safety in the hands of the driver.
The bad road condition also poses tremendous dangers to pedestrians and villagers who live on either side of the highway. On many occasions, pedestrians have reportedly been injured with stone chips hitting them, as vehicles pass by. 

In the year 2005, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared the NH-44 to be converted into four-lane. Later, the MoRTH revised the plan and announced that the NH-44 would be double-lane in the first phase. However, work to face lift the state's life-line has not been started yet.