AGARTALA, June 26 (TIWN): Manik Sarkar led Tripura CPI-M Govt’s apathy to fix National Highways even after months of dilapidated conditions causing enormous suffering for State people as petrol, diesel prices, essential commodities prices skyrocketed statewide. Tripura’s lameduck Govt officials or State BJP President’s much trumpeted meeting with Assam CM couldn’t yet fix NH-44, so daily misery continues. On Sunday, Tripura Govt. officials spoke with High Level Officials at Assam and but Assam Govt. further asked the Tripura Govt. for joint initiatives in fixing NH-44. Assam Govt. said that, “the Kathaltali area(under Dharmanagar) which falls inland Tripura should be fixd by Tripura Govt. so that the vehicle movement resumes normal". "For NH-44 always Assam Govt. is getting blamed, whereas Tripura’s NH-44 from Churaibari is in worst condition causing stop in vehicular movement", said an Assam Govt. official.

 However, TIWN talking to Pradip Acharjee, SDM Dharmanagar said that to make NH-44 temporarily usable for vehicle movements, 20 trucks of bricks have been dumped over the road on Sunday. 

Quite surprisingly, Tripura BJP’s colorfully dressed President Biplab Deb met Assam CM Sonowal few weeks back which raised hope among common people that NH-44 was going to be fixed by BJP rules administrations at Assam and New Delhi. But fashion-savvy Biplab Deb left NH-44 to its uncertain fate after getting undue media coverage.

Local people also joined hands so that 20 truckload of brick patching could temporarily work, SDM added. However the department is trying to pass the vehicles anyhow as the passengers and drivers are stranded, state is suffering from price hike and fuel crisis.

It's worthy to mention that during the whole year 2015 and winter dry seasons till April 2016,  Manik Sarkar's Tripura Govt was in slumber and did not repair NH-44.

So, the misery continues even  after 15 days of road blockade only 20 trucks bricks are dumped at there. 

Although Transport Minister Manik Dey claimed for 40 vehicles entrance with petrol on Saturday, but talking to the SDM TIWN found that only 22 trucks entered in state. The others may enter tonight, said SDM.

It’s worthy to mention here that due to NH-44’s pathetic condition the fuel crisis continues to suffer the state with board of ‘No Petrol’ hanging in front of the major petrol pumps since Wednesday morning.

The LPG crisis has also hit the market already. Although atleast 50 bullets started for Tripura, but in the middle of the road, many have been paused due to the pathetic condition of NH-44, resulting acute LPG crisis in state. In black market the rate has gone to 1,200-1500/-.