Tripura plans phased Highway expansion, new 3.985-km flyover to ease Agartala traffic: CM Dr Manik Saha

Agartala, August 31: The Tripura government is preparing to expand the state’s road infrastructure through phased double-laning of remaining state highways and construction of a new flyover network in Agartala, Chief Minister Professor Dr. Manik Saha informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
Replying to BJP MLA Tafajjal Hossain, Dr. Saha said 204.45 km of roads have already been upgraded to double-lane status. The remaining state highways would be taken up for double-laning in the next phase, depending on the availability of land and funds.
Tafajjal Hossain, in a supplementary question, urged the government to reconsider the proposed alignment of the Bishramganj–Melaghar–Sonamura–Belonia road. He suggested routing the highway through Bishalgarh, Boxanagar and Sonamura, arguing that the alternative route could benefit several constituencies while avoiding potential risks to the Gomati river embankment and nearby flood-prone areas.
Responding, Dr. Saha said the government was already considering development of routes involving Bishalgarh, Boxanagar and Amtali-Sabroom as full double-lane roads, subject to the availability of funds. He noted that several roads currently have a combination of single-lane, intermediate-lane and double-lane stretches, which would be upgraded according to technical requirements.
CPI(M) MLA Dipankar Sen raised the issue of growing traffic congestion in Agartala and suggested expanding the existing flyover network as well as initiating long-term planning for metro connectivity to Udaipur, Teliamura and the airport.
The Chief Minister said the PWD currently has no proposal to extend the existing flyover from the airport towards Amtali. However, a new 3.985-km double-lane flyover is being considered from Fire Brigade Chowmuhani through CAD Chowmuhani, Shankar Chowmuhani and Durga Chowmuhani, crossing Katartal and reaching Radhanagar Bus Stand.
According to Dr. Saha, the proposed structure would also have entry and exit connectivity towards Battala. He said feasibility studies, detailed layout planning, typical cross-sections, tentative estimates and land acquisition planning have already commenced. The project would be expedited once Finance Department approval is received.
The Chief Minister also explained why an earlier flyover proposal was reconsidered. A 2.905-km flyover from IGM Chowmuhani to Circuit House, estimated at around ₹593.33 crore, had been proposed earlier to ease congestion. Although ₹65 crore was sanctioned for land acquisition, concerns over the impact on a large number of existing buildings led the government to explore an alternative alignment.
Tipra Motha MLA Sanjay Tripura sought government intervention for double-laning shortcut routes between Karbook and Shantirbazar and Tirthamukh and Gandachara, pointing out that improved connectivity could substantially reduce travel distances for people in the region.
Dr. Saha said the proposed Shantirbazar (NH-08)–NH-208 connectivity road had already been submitted to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for funding.
Other MLAs also raised questions regarding the proposed double-laning of the Ambassa–Gandachara, Gandachara–Amarpur via Thalchara and Champaknagar–Udaipur via Jampuijala routes.
Emphasising that road widening must be based on established technical parameters rather than demands alone, Dr. Saha said the government follows traffic-volume criteria under relevant Indian Roads Congress standards. He pointed out that Passenger Car Unit (PCU) levels determine whether a road should remain single lane, intermediate-lane, double-lane or be considered for further widening.
The Chief Minister assured the House that the government would continue examining the proposals raised by members, keeping in view traffic requirements, technical feasibility, land availability and financial resources.