Agartala, 6th August 2026: Leader of Opposition and CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury launched a sharp attack on the governments over Tripura’s deteriorating roads, demanding that NHIDCL clarify when the damaged national highways would be repaired. He was speaking at a mass protest organised by the CPI(M) West Tripura District Committee.
Questioning Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha’s explanation that heavy rainfall and soft soil were responsible for roads failing, Chaudhury said, “If Indian engineers can successfully construct roads in America and Europe, why can’t we build roads suited to Tripura’s soil, rainfall and heavy traffic?”
He also questioned the apparent difference between the Chief Minister’s remarks and PWD Secretary Kiran Gitte’s assertion that quality standards were being maintained in road construction.
Citing roads from Oriental Chowmuhani to Bidurkarta Chowmuhani, Hari Ganga Basak Road and Akhaura Road, Chaudhury alleged that newly laid asphalt was already peeling or deteriorating. He further alleged that e-tendering was being conducted only as a formality and that political patronage and “negotiation” were influencing contracts, resulting in inflated costs and poor-quality work.
Criticising Agartala’s Smart City project, he said roads become waterlogged after rain despite government claims of development.
Chaudhury warned that if the Centre, state government and NHIDCL failed to take concrete action, the CPI(M) would intensify its democratic movement.
