AGARTALA, April 23 (TIWN): Incessant rain and storm during the last couple of days had again created havoc in the National Highway especially in the Churaibari area. The Assam-Agartala National Highway 44, Tripura’s lifeline with the rest of the country, on a 12km-stretch between Churaibari in North Tripura and Loarpura in the neighbouring Karimganj district of Assam has become unusable.

Compounding this problem is the guage conversion work which may stall railway services as well. The state government is trying to build stocks of food and other essential commodities to tide over any crisis during the gauge conversion work.

The Border Roads Organization, in charge of maintenance of the road, has not been able to keep it in a good condition. Heavy rain has made the 12km stretch between Churaibari and Loarpura nearly unusable. Besides, the soil close to the railway tracks between Agartala and Dharmanagar tends to get washed off in heavy rain. These old and obsolete engines developing technical snags have become an almost regular feature, creating problems.

 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. Meanwhile, incessant rains across the state since few days have thrown life out of gear. Many major streets in Agartala have gone under water and a number of roads, lanes and houses are waterlogged. On the other hand, high velocity wind created havoc in entire North and Unakoti districts but there was no human casualty yet.