AGARTALA, July 2 (TIWN): At the initiative of BJP led Central Govt, Assam Govt, NHIDCL officials visited NH-44 on Saturday to take stock of highway’s transport worthiness. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar can manage plenty of time to fly to Hyderabad to console ‘unknown’ family of deceased Rohit Vemula but high-profile Tripura CM or his deputy PWD Minister Badal Chowdhury got no time to visit NH-44 or fly to Delhi or Guwahati to restore State’s lifeline at the earliest. A joint visit on Assam-Agartala NH-44 was held by NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation) General Manager B K Sribastav, Regional Manager Bikash Palival, Tripura Chief Engineer Dipak Das, Dharmanagar Chief Engineer Subhashish Das. Talking to TIWN correspondent after they arrived at Dharmanagar, NHIDCL GM B K Sribastav said that on emergency basis maintenance Rs. 5 crores have been sought by the Assam Govt. and more 21 crores is in demand.

 Tender has been already sent to central for the 26 crore's fund. But this fund allocation is not for NH-44, but it will be for NHC, the alternative road from Kukital to Kathaltali which is 15 km long. However, after the visit they held meeting at Dharmanagar office of Executive Engineer’s office.

It’s worthy to mention here that when the main NH-44 has been collapsed, the Govt. officials have become busy with the alternative road again. 

Reason behind the emergency basis maintenance of NHC road they said -  “before the Lowairpoa to Churaibari Road renovation there would be an alternative way via which the vehicles may pass. So this Rs. 5 crores is urgently needed so that after renovation of 15 km NHC road, the main NH-44 renovation work may be begin.”

On the other hand the non-repaired heavily damaged part of National Highway is causing hindrance for plying of vehicles to is yet left without solution increasing fuel crisis inside state.  The steps which are taking by Tripura Govt. by dumping few amount of bricks over NH-44 the normal traffic on the Highway is yet to begin.

As the Assam-Govt. yet to start the renovation work there resulting inland fuel crisis in state.

Recently, Tripura PWD Minister has sent letter to Nitin Gadkari to restore the road-way but failed to show any eagarness to visit Delhi to expedite the process. 

Tripura and Assam Govt. officials are visiting Lowairpoa to Churaibari road, but the condition is so much worse there that it will take months to restore highway, said sources. 

But Tripura PWD Minister Badal Chowdhury, Trasport Minister Manik Dey and their fat salaried IAS officials yet to inspect NH-44 damage and take up with authorities.

So, when NH-44 will be restored ? or when Tripura's fuel crisis will end  ? questions like this only Tripura's Helicopter hopping Ministers can answer.