Agartala: With Durga Puja approaching, the Tripura government has launched a time-bound statewide road maintenance drive aimed at improving connectivity and making major routes motorable before the festive season.
The government has set September 30, 2026, as the deadline for completing the identified road maintenance works. The decision was taken following a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha at the TIFT War Room in Agartala on August 8. Senior officials from the Public Works Department (PWD), NHIDCL and other concerned departments participated in the review.
Over 2,600 km of roads targeted
According to PWD Secretary Kiran Gitte, the PWD (Roads & Buildings) has identified 1,006 roads covering 1,622 km for maintenance. In addition, 119 PMGSY roads covering 665 km and 32 National Highway stretches covering 377 km have also been included in the programme.
Together, the three PWD wings have targeted 1,157 roads covering approximately 2,664 km for maintenance by the September 30 deadline.
The programme comes at a crucial time, as roads across several parts of the state have developed potholes and suffered surface damage following early and prolonged rainfall since March. According to the PWD Secretary, the rainfall disrupted the usual road-maintenance window and contributed to deterioration of road surfaces.
Major highway stretches also under maintenance
Apart from PWD works, maintenance is also underway on several important highway stretches under NHIDCL.
These include the 16-km Champaknagar–Nalgaria Railway Bridge stretch of NH-08, the 38-km Khowai–Agartala stretch of NH-108B, the 80.2-km Khowai–Kailashahar stretch of NH-208, and the 105.9-km Churaibari–Agartala stretch of NH-08.
The stretch from Nalgaria Railway Bridge to ISBT Chandrapur is also slated to be taken up by PWD (Roads & Buildings).
Focus on roads used during Puja
Officials have been directed to give special attention to roads connecting district and sub-divisional headquarters, bus stands, railway stations, hospitals and major Durga Puja pandals.
This is particularly significant as road traffic is expected to increase substantially during the festive period, with people travelling between towns, villages, markets, railway stations and Puja venues.
Quality monitoring ordered
The government has also stressed that speed should not come at the expense of quality. Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers, Assistant Engineers and Junior Engineers have been instructed to conduct regular field inspections and monitor the progress of maintenance work.
The PWD has also stated that sufficient funds are available for the required maintenance works.
With the September 30 deadline now approaching, the major challenge will be ensuring that the large volume of work is completed on time while maintaining road quality. For commuters and residents across Tripura, the success of the drive could mean safer and smoother travel during one of the state’s busiest festive periods.
