BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 7th December 2025: National Highway-8 turned turbulent once again this afternoon as hundreds of truck drivers staged a blockade near the Sales Tax area in North Tripura’s Churaibari, bringing traffic to a standstill.
The drivers alleged that for over a week they have been stranded at Churaibari while police conduct exhaustive checks on every vehicle, citing fears of cannabis smuggling from Tripura to other states. No truck is being allowed to pass without thorough inspection, they claimed.
At the Churaibari police naka point, drivers complained of severe delays due to lack of space, shortage of personnel, and poor infrastructure. The slow pace of checking has left both police and drivers struggling, with truckers describing their situation as “unbearable.”
Drivers reported acute shortages of food and drinking water. Sanitation facilities are inadequate, creating serious difficulties. Ration supplies have run out, while fears of diesel, battery, and tyre theft at night have increased. Many drivers said prolonged delays make it impossible to pay vehicle installments, pushing them into financial distress.
Truckers criticized the government for failing to install scanner machines at the Tripura-Assam border, despite such systems being operational in other states. They argued that scanners would allow faster checks and prevent innocent drivers from suffering due to the actions of a few offenders.
According to the protesters, more than 700 trucks are currently stuck in long queues at Churaibari, along with several passenger vehicles.
Churaibari police rushed to the spot after receiving reports of the blockade and held talks with the agitated drivers. However, the protesters remain firm in their demand and have refused to withdraw the blockade.
The situation now hinges on whether the Tripura government and relevant authorities take immediate steps to resolve the crisis, or whether drivers will continue to endure prolonged hardship on the highway.
