Agartala, Aug 31: In order to deal with the traffic jam in Agartala city, the Tripura government has planned to construct another flyover, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha informed the state assembly on Monday, last day of the three-day session.

The proposed flyover will start from Fire Brigade Chowmuhani and end at Radhanagar bus stand via Ker Chowmuhani, Sankar Chowmuhani and Durga Chowmuhani, he said.

According to Dr. Saha, for this 3.985 km flyover project PWD (road & bridge) has already prepared primary project report after a feasibility study, and is working on detailed layout plan, typical cross section, tentative expenditure, request for proposal for appointment of agency in EPC mode and land acquisition.

The Chief Minister was replying to two separate questions raised by MLA Tafazzal Hossain and MLA Sudip Roy Barman at the Assembly.

Replying to another question of MLA Tafazzal Hossain, the Chief Minister in a written answer informed that at present the state has total 204.45 km double-lane state highway. The rest of the state highways are expected to be upgraded to double-lane once required fund and lands are available.

To another question of MLA Sudip Roy Barman, the Chief Minister in his written reply informed that at present 114.275 km roads in Agartala city are in need of renovation. In addition, as per Smart City Limited source a complete smart road infrastructure is being developed in four packages under Asian Development Bank fund.

The Chief Minister further informed the House that during the current financial year an amount of Rs. 33.99 crore has been allocated to PWD (road and bridge) for the purpose of reconstruction and renovation of roads in Agartala city.

Additionally as per Agartala Smart City Limited source, Rs. 457.35 crore has been received from ADB for the development of 23.246 km road. During the current financial year PWD (road and bridge) has completed 25.06 km. road renovation work in Agartala city.

Moreover the PWD is also carrying out repair works on road patches damaged in monsoon. Under the Smart City Limited also certain repair works on roads are ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister informed the Assembly that the state currently has four bypass roads under the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) — Mohanpur Bypass, Khowai Bypass, Khayerpur-Amtali Bypass, and Bishalgarh Bypass.

Replying to a question raised by MLA Swapna Majumdar, the Chief Minister said that proposals for two additional bypass roads are under consideration, and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are currently being prepared.

The proposed projects are the Agartala Bypass (Western Branch) and the Agartala Eastern Bypass. The proposed four-lane Agartala Bypass (Western Branch) will be approximately 25.4 km long. It will start from the Amtali section of National Highway-8, pass along the western outskirts of Agartala city, and connect with National Highway108B at Lembucherra.

The Chief Minister said the road will facilitate smooth movement of long-distance vehicles and significantly reduce traffic congestion within Agartala city. The Agartala Eastern Bypass, also planned as a four-lane road, will have an estimated length of 22.1 km. It will begin from NH-108B at Lembuchhara, pass through the eastern side of Agartala via Khayerpur, and reconnect with NH-8 at Amtali. Once completed, it is expected to ease traffic pressure on the eastern side of the city and further improve traffic flow in Agartala.