AGARTALA, July 22 (TIWN): Incessant rain in Agartala for over a week has left several roads in the city unmotorable Negotiating pothole-ridden roads has become a challenge for motorists. In some places, the blacktop has been washed away in the downpour. What have added to motorists’ woes, especially in the core areas of the city, are the incomplete drainage work and the dumping of debris on the roadside, which have reduced the width of the carriageway, hampering easy movement vehicles.

Time is running out for the authorities, as Kharchi festival are nearly three days away. But, people are of the opinion that the authorities, as noticed during every festival , take up the roadwork’s at the last-minute or during the festivities itself, spending crores of rupees, without focusing on the quality. The road stretch from Khayerpur to Motor stand is in bad condition, has developed several potholes.

When contacted, Sunil Bhowmik, engineer - in – chief told TIWN that the work on filling potholes and repairing the damaged stretches of roads was put off due to incessant rain.

“Once the rain abates, the work will commence. The work orders for some roadwork’s had been issued,” he said.

Due to the flyover work, the roads have become narrow, causing traffic jams even on regular days. To make things worse for us, the roads near Nagerjala are in a horrible shape. When it rains, traffic comes to a complete stand-still. I’m struggling to reach office on time, and my schedule goes haywire,” complains a daily commuter.