Agartala, 16th May 2026 : Several stretches of the Assam-Agartala National Highway 8, regarded as Tripura’s lifeline, have become highly dangerous due to severe road damage. The worst-hit areas include Nabinchhara under Pecharthal, Kacharichhara in Kumarghat, and Sidongchhara, where commuters are forced to travel under constant risk.
Sources from the locality said huge potholes have appeared across different portions of the highway. With continuous rainfall, many of these potholes have turned into water-filled craters, while some sections of the road have partially collapsed. In many places, the asphalt layer has worn off completely, exposing rough stones and making driving extremely hazardous, especially during nighttime.
Residents alleged that despite the road remaining in poor condition for months, no permanent repair work has been carried out by the authorities. They claimed that repeated complaints to the concerned departments have failed to bring any meaningful solution.
The highway is used daily by school students, office workers, ambulances carrying patients, and heavy goods vehicles. As the condition worsens, fear of accidents among commuters continues to grow.
A local resident stated that accidents have become a regular occurrence on the damaged stretches. “Drivers often lose control while trying to avoid potholes, creating the risk of head-on collisions. Last week, a truck overturned here,” he said. Several bike riders have also suffered injuries in recent mishaps.
Drivers are also facing financial losses because of the road condition. “Vehicle parts are getting damaged frequently, and fuel consumption has increased. Travelling on this road has become extremely troublesome,” another driver complained.
National Highway 8 is the main route connecting Tripura with the rest of the country. Essential goods, construction materials, and fuel are transported through this highway. Consequently, the deteriorating road condition is also affecting transportation costs and market prices across the state.
Officials from the NH-208 Public Works Department said that large-scale repair work cannot begin immediately because of the monsoon season. However, they assured that restoration work would start once the rains subside. No definite deadline for the repairs has been provided so far.
Meanwhile, residents of Nabinchhara and nearby areas have intensified their demand for immediate repair of the highway, questioning how many more accidents must occur before the administration takes urgent action.
