AGARTALA, Oct 6 (TIWN): The deplorable condition of National Highway 44, the only lifeline 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.Just a few days ahead of the durga puja hundreds of vehicles loaded with goods are stranded due to the poor condition of the road.It is witnessed that the route from Sabroom to Churaebari is left in such a massacre condition that no one can ever say that it is a National Highway.The condition of National Highway has worsened after it was handed over to the State PWD by NHAI, which raised hopes among the commuters that their troubles would meet an end. But their hopes went to vein as the condition of the NH-44 is getting worse day by day. After the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (MORTH) handed over development and maintenance 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 negligence of PWD.

Locals irked over the poor condition of the road which is said to be the life line of the state. 

After taking over the charge of maintenance of NH-44 in 2013 from Central agencies,  the State PWD is not working up to the mark.

Due to incessant rain and continuous movement of heavy loaded vehicles the condition of the road had deteriorated to such an extent that it has become dangerous to ply vehicles.

For the last two to three years, there has been no maintenance of the roads here. Drivers are the worst sufferers of this and it is still continuing. Many vehicles are stranded there due to breakdown of various parts

NH 44 is the lifeline of Tripura as it is the lone highway that connects the state with Assam and through which all commodities enter the state.

Oil tankers, perishable goods and non-perishable goods loaded truck  all are stranded at different parts of the road and are unable to enter the premises of the state and which may lead to price hike in the state ahead of Durga Puja.