Agartala, July 01: Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Wednesday held elaborate discussions with Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi regarding issues related to the development of National Highways in the state.
In the meeting, it was decided to expedite the ongoing projects, carry out proper maintenance of National Highways and take up new projects for improving road connectivity within the State as well as with other States.
In his opening remarks, the Chief Minister conveyed gratefulness to the Union Minister for increasing network of National Highways in Tripura from 198 KMs in 2014 to 923 KMs in 2026.
During the meeting, several decisions were taken for implementation in a time bound manner.
Alignment for 4 Laning of Churaibari to Champaknagar stretch on NH-08 (130 KMs) has been approved by the Ministry in consultation with the State Government. Greenfield 4 lane highway will be parallel to the railway line with tunnels in Atharamura and Longtarai valley. Land acquisition for the project will be started soon.
State Government should hand over 90% land for 4-laning of Ranir Baazar to ISBT (Chandrapur) left out of NH-08 along with utility shifting by August 2026. NHIDCL will float the tender soon thereafter.
DPR for 4-laning of Agartala-Udaipur of NH-08 is in final stage as there is substantial increase in domestic traffic as well as tourists and devotees. Alignment will be finalised by August 2026 and thereafter land acquisition will start.
DPR for the development of Udaipur to Amarpur road as a spar of NH-08 (24 KMs) is also in final stage as it connects NH-08 with NH-208. This road will be developed with National Highway standards which connects Udaipur (holy seat of Mata Tripura Sundari) with Amarpur, which is nodal point for Chabimura and Dumboor Lake tourist destinations.
Development of Kamalpur-Ambassa-Gandachara-Santirbazar road (148 KMs) will be taken up by the Ministry of Road Transport Highways as it has tourism, trade and mineral (natural gas) resources.
For construction of Western Bypass of Agartala City (25Kms), fresh tender will be issued by incorporating service lanes as it passes through thickly populated areas.
4-laning of Eastern Bypass connecting Lembucherra with Khayerpur (10 KMs) shall be taken up after finalisation of alignment and land acquisition.
Regarding deterioration of road surface in Agartala – Khowai NH 108B, Kumarghat-Kailashahar and Kailashahar-Khowai on NH 208 and Kailashahar-Kurti Bridge NH-208A, it is decided that these sections will be redeveloped as per the recommendations of the Central Road Research Institute.
The Chief Minister requested for adequate drainage system and retaining walls on National Highways so that adjacent habitations do not get flooded and hilly areas do not face landslides in rainy season.
Government of Assam has been approached for widening of the road from Kurti Bridge to Chandkhira (NH-208 A Spur) from 7m carriage way to 10m width.
The State Government has assured timely land acquisition, forest land clearances and shifting of utilities required for completion of above projects.
The meeting was attended by V Umashankar, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, Krishna Kumar, IAS, Managing Director, NHIDCL, Kiran Gitte, Secretary, PWD, Government of Tripura, Subrata Banik, Chief Engineer, PWD (NH) and Regional Officer, NHIDCL, Agartala and other officials.
The Chief Minister thanked Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for sanctioning record number of National Highway projects and Agartala Ring Road which has helped in development of road infrastructure and attracting investments in all sectors of economy of the state.