Agartala, 20th May 2026: The ongoing repair of a nearly 70-year-old road in Bishalgarh has left residents in distress, with allegations of unscientific planning and poor execution. The reconstruction work has not only damaged the road further but also disrupted essential services.
During excavation for sidewall construction, drinking water pipelines beneath the rural road were cut by JCB machines, leaving around 82 families without water supply for two consecutive days. The affected stretch runs from Kathalia commercial area through North and South Maheshpur Panchayat, extending up to 500 meters along the Bangladesh border.
The road, used daily by small, medium, and heavy vehicles, is flanked by old settlements. Despite earlier allocations of Rs 22 lakh two years ago, the repair work was left incomplete. Following public appeals, local MLA Bindu Debnath inspected the site six months ago, after which ₹1 crore was sanctioned for full-scale renovation. Work began three months ago under the Kathalia PWD department.
However, residents have criticized the poor quality of construction and the timing, as monsoon rains have worsened conditions. With sidewalls built on both sides, rainwater and mud accumulate in the middle, making walking or commuting extremely difficult.
This morning, frustration boiled over into protests as locals faced three simultaneous crises: Road collapse leading to soil filling nearby agricultural land; Drinking water supply cut off; and Vehicular movement severely restricted, even for motorcycles and bicycles.
Residents warned that unless water supply is restored immediately, they will launch a united road blockade protest.
The situation highlights the urgent need for proper planning and accountability in infrastructure projects, as villagers continue to suffer due to administrative lapses.
