AGARTALA, July 3 (TIWN): The prolonged crisis of petrol and LPG cooking gas cylinder in the state is due to the dilapidated condition of NH44 especially in the Lowerpoa section of Assam, says Food and Civil supplies Director Soumitra Banerjee. Question arises if Assam government is responsible for the poor condition of NH44 what has state government done for past 2 years. Talking to TIWN correspondent, Food and Civil supplies Director Soumitra Banerjee said that the crisis is happening due to the bad condition of NH44 in the Assam section especially in the Lowerpoa side and the state has no role to play in it. He further said that if immediate steps are not taken for the renovation the situation will worsen more in the state.On asked for the supply of petrol in the state via other routes of train he said that the freight train are also not entering the state due to the disturbances in the track at Halflong area of Assam. The situation has worsened as train services between Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, southern Assam and rest of India remain cancelled for more than 45 days now, due to damaged railway tracks in the mountainous Dima Hasao district of Assam due to rains and landslides, he added

Tripura is fully dependent on this highway for supply of essentials, food grain, fertilisers, petroleum products, construction materials and other commodities from different states of India. For now though, Tripura's capital Agartala is out of petrol. Over 1000 trucks carrying fuel and other essential supplies are stuck on NH 44. Petrol is being sold at nearly Rs. 300 per litre in black market, while it is being rationed at the two petrol pumps open in Agartala. The city has over 60 pumps.

Reportedly, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal travelled to the state's border with Tripura today, to review the condition of a 20 kilometre stretch on the National Highway 44 that has turned to slush because of incessant rains in the area in the last fortnight.

Most of this road falls on the Assam side of the border and Tripura's transport minister Manik Dey has alleged that both Assam's BJP government and the Centre had remained indifferent for many days on the condition of the road despite repeated reminders.

Prolonged dilapidated condition of NH44 in the state has led to LPG cooking gas crisis over past few days.

Until and unless the roads are not renovated it will not be possible to smoothen the LPG supply in the state.

It is to be motioned here that there has been no improvement in the condition of roads on a 15-kilometer-long stretch on National Highway-44 between Lower Powa in Assam, and Churaibari in Tripura. The road has virtually turned into a paddy field since April following incessant rains and administrative neglect.

He further said  that the supplies of cylinders to the state in less as the trucks are stranded in the NH44 it has become to get the supply of cylinders.

Huge number of trucks carrying perishable items like fish, potato, onion and fruits and a few hundred trucks with other essential items remain stranded at Lower Powa.

Drivers and their helpers, who have been without proper food, water or sanitation, complained about never seeing such a pathetic road condition as also the total apathy of the Governments of both the state towards repairing the damaged road.