BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 14th March 2026: The sluggish pace of construction on National Highway 108B, connecting Khowai to Agartala via Subal Singh, came under sharp focus after the season’s first rainfall created severe difficulties for commuters and transporters on Friday afternoon.
A brief spell of rain turned portions of the under-construction highway extremely slippery, leading to a temporary suspension of vehicular movement. Hundreds of vehicles—including buses, cargo lorries, oil tankers, ambulances, and small passenger cars—were stranded for a considerable period as long queues formed along the route.
Authorities later deployed a bulldozer to remove accumulated mud and slush from the road, allowing traffic to resume gradually. However, motorists reported that vehicles continued to struggle at certain stretches, where the wheels of heavy buses, trucks, and smaller vehicles spun helplessly on the muddy surface.
Drivers said the slippery conditions frequently caused vehicles to skid from one side of the road to the other, creating panic among passengers. Many travelers feared a possible major accident as the unpredictable road conditions made driving extremely risky. Fortunately, no vehicle plunged into the deep roadside ditches.
In several places, the road had turned into a waterlogged stretch resembling a swamp, further complicating movement. Passengers reportedly raised alarm as vehicles attempted to navigate the treacherous surface.
Drivers noted that sunshine on Saturday morning slightly improved the situation, restoring relatively smoother traffic movement. However, they warned that another spell of rain could quickly bring the route back to the same chaotic condition.
The highway project, being executed by Dineshchandra R. Agarwal Infracon Pvt. Ltd., has been under construction for several years. Commuters alleged that despite the project being funded with public money, progress remains slow.
Transporters and drivers have urged authorities to expedite the construction work, warning that continued delays could soon render the crucial highway completely impassable, particularly during the rainy season.
