Agartala, 26th May 2026: The much-publicized “Smart City” project has once again come under sharp criticism from residents over the deplorable condition of the Durga Choumuhani–Barjala road, a key route falling under the Smart City initiative in Agartala. Citizens allege that while authorities continue to make promises and conduct inspections, the reality on the ground reflects years of neglect and public suffering.
The road, which serves as one of the major access routes to Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, has reportedly remained in a severely damaged state for the past three to four years. Large potholes and broken stretches across the entire road have made vehicular movement extremely difficult, causing inconvenience to thousands of commuters and pedestrians who use the route daily.
Local residents and motorists expressed frustration, stating that despite repeated assurances from Smart City authorities, no visible repair work has been undertaken. They recalled that prior to last year’s Durga Puja festivities, officials had publicly announced that repair work would begin shortly. However, according to commuters, the condition of the road has only deteriorated further since then.
The damaged road has allegedly become a major cause of frequent accidents and vehicle damage. Motorists claim they are incurring heavy expenses on repairs due to the poor road condition. Many also fear that transporting critically ill patients along the route could prove dangerous because of the uneven and hazardous surface.
Residents further alleged that due to the near-impassable condition of the road, commuters are often forced to take longer alternative routes to reach their destinations. Questions are now being raised over the effectiveness of the Smart City project and the lack of accountability among the authorities responsible for maintaining the city’s infrastructure.
As public anger continues to mount, citizens are demanding immediate intervention and permanent repair of the Durga Choumuhani–Barjala road, questioning how long they will have to endure the ongoing hardship.
