Agartala, 21st August 2026 : Growing anger over the poor condition of the Rangauti–Kailashahar Dak Bungalow road erupted into a road blockade at Tilabazar on Friday, with e-auto drivers staging a protest and burning tyres to demand immediate repairs.
The road, which runs from Rangauti to the Kailashahar Dak Bungalow under Gournagar RD Block in Unakoti district, has reportedly remained in a severely damaged condition for nearly three years. Protesters said travelling along the stretch has become difficult due to potholes, mud and broken sections, causing frequent damage to vehicles and inconvenience to passengers.
According to the protesting drivers, a contractor firm from Agartala was awarded the road project around three years ago at an estimated cost of ₹7 crore. They alleged that several portions of the road began deteriorating within a few months of the work being completed. Despite repeated complaints, no permanent repair has been undertaken, they claimed.
The protesters further alleged that the PWD has carried out occasional temporary repairs, but these have failed to improve the condition of the road.
“We have been driving on this road for three years. Our vehicles suffer damage every day, while passengers face tremendous inconvenience. We do not want assurances anymore. The blockade will continue until a PWD official comes and gives a clear commitment on permanent repairs,” one e-auto driver said.
Following information about the blockade, DCM Mati Debbarma reached the spot. However, no PWD official had reportedly arrived by the time this report was filed.
Fire service personnel were deployed after protesters set tyres ablaze, while a large police and TSR contingent led by Irani Police Station Second Officer-in-Charge Srikanta Chakraborty was present to control the situation.
The blockade left a large number of vehicles stranded on both sides of the Rangauti–Kailashahar road, causing hardship to commuters and local residents.
The protesters have also raised questions over the quality of the roadwork and demanded to know whether the project was properly inspected after completion, what action was taken against the contractor and why permanent repairs have not been carried out despite the road remaining in poor condition for years.
They maintained that the blockade would continue until the authorities provide concrete assurance and initiate steps for permanent restoration of the road.
