By TC News Desk
Agartala, 26th July 2025: Allegations of corruption and negligence have resurfaced in Tripura after two recently constructed national highways in the Khowai district developed massive damage within just a few months of completion. The roads in question Khowai-Kamalpur NH-208 and Khowai-Agartala NH-108B have deteriorated into dangerous death traps filled with over a thousand large potholes and mud patches posing a serious risk to commuters.
The condition of these roads prompted a high-level inspection today led by Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary Kiran Gitte and Khowai District Magistrate Rajat Pant. They were accompanied by PWD engineers and officials of the National Highways Authority. The inspection team first assessed the damage along the 108B corridor, later moving to NH-208, where severe structural failures and water-logging were evident.
“These roads were meant to be a lifeline for the people. What we are seeing now is unacceptable,” a visibly concerned Kiran Gitte told reporters at the site. He confirmed that discussions were held with representatives of the construction firm responsible for the project. However, officials from the agency reportedly evaded questions and failed to provide adequate answers regarding the quality and method of construction.
According to sources, both highways were constructed under central government schemes and executed by a National Highway construction agency contracted through a government tender. Locals and experts are now questioning whether due diligence including soil testing and land surveys was conducted prior to construction. There are also concerns about the use of substandard materials.
“Either proper soil tests were ignored or low-grade materials were used. Without rigorous site assessment, the road structure was doomed to fail,” said a local engineer.
Citizens and activists have called for an immediate inquiry, pointing fingers at both the construction agency and administrative oversight. Many allege that repeated public complaints during construction were ignored by district officials.
