AGARTALA, Dec 5 (TIWN): With a few splash of rain over past few days has yet again left the NH 44 in a pitiable condition. Due to the rain, vehicle movement was nearly stopped with the continuous water logged between Lowerpoa to Churaibari Gate. However with the progress of the days, the vehicle movement gained progress from Saturday morning, confirmed by PWD Chief Engineer Deepak Das. With the zero progress of work in the renovation of NH 44, it seems that the people of Tripura have to travel through the topsy-turvy road. 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. Talking to TIWN correspondent on Saturday, PWD chief Engineer Deepak Das said that the agency workers have agreed to all the terms and condition and has agreed to begin the renovation work in full swing from December 15. He further said that though renovation is underway at several spots but so far there is no proper glimpse of renovation yet. However, fromDecember 15 the work will begin in full swing, said Deepak Das.About hundreds of vehicles were stranded at the National highway due to the water log. However, the movement of vehicles began fluently from Saturday morning. PWD chief Engineer further claimed that few of the vehicles also took the alternative NH to enter the state. However, Deepak Das further claimed that the renovation work will begin in full swing from December 15 and the vehicle movement will develop gradually.

It is to be mentioned here that the condition of these stretches of the highways has become so bad that in some patches these have turned into virtual craters. In fact, the deplorable condition of these national highways has led to resentment amongst local people, with the demand for their maintenance growing and intensifying.

The poor condition of the NH44 has lead to endless sufferings for the state people. Starting from transportation problem, now the people are facing the threat of price hike in the state. Although lately, the state govt. has opened an alternative way of NH-44 by which goods may be exported and imported but the same alternative road has also beak down due to over load. Since last many days’ goods had been found rotten on Assam-Agartala road, as vehicles were stranded along the NH-44 highway.

It is to be mentioned here that Keeping in mind of the poor condition of Assam-Agartala National Highway, the state government has decided to use NEC Highway- Kokital to Dharmanagar via Kathaltali to transport essential items to the state as an alternative route and the sources also say that the alternative road is also left in poor condition.