BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 17th December 2025: Traffic congestion has emerged as one of the most pressing problems in Agartala under the Smart City project, with the city witnessing a sharp and continuous rise in the number of vehicles.
A lack of effective traffic management and a series of unscientific administrative decisions have further aggravated the situation, causing severe inconvenience to commuters and pedestrians alike.
Over the past few months, the sudden and unchecked increase in electric auto-rickshaws has significantly contributed to traffic chaos in the city. In an effort to regulate the situation, the administration earlier issued a directive mandating that all auto-rickshaws registered under the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) be painted pink to make them easily identifiable.
The move was aimed at restricting the entry of auto-rickshaws from areas such as Bishalgarh, Jirania, and other neighbouring regions, which frequently crowd Agartala city and worsen traffic congestion.
Following the directive, a majority of city-based auto-rickshaws were painted pink and permitted to operate within Agartala. However, despite repeated instructions, auto-rickshaws from outside areas—often painted in different colours—continue to ply illegally within the city limits, leading to further congestion.
Adding to the problem, a section of auto-rickshaw drivers has been illegally parking their vehicles in front of the old TRTC building at Battala, creating daily traffic bottlenecks in the busy area. Left with no alternative, the administration finally launched an enforcement drive.On Wednesday, traffic police conducted a special drive in the Battala area, seizing auto-rickshaws operating in violation of the colour-code regulations and vehicles parked illegally. Traffic officials said that the seized vehicles would be prosecuted under the relevant provisions of the law.
Officials also made it clear that such enforcement drives would continue on a regular basis, noting that auto-rickshaw operators had been given ample time to comply with the rules. However, whether these measures will bring lasting relief from traffic congestion remains a crucial question for city residents.
