Agartala: Dr. Krishan Kumar, Managing Director of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) held a meeting with Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha here on 12 August.
Dr.Kumar visited the state to assess the progress of various ongoing projects. The visit, which included an inspection of key highway stretches, signals a strong push to address long-standing road development issues in the state.
Chief Minister Dr.Saha held discussion on condition of certain crucial road sections. The NHIDCL MD Dr.Kumar conducted an extensive inspection of several highways, including NH-108B (Agartala–Khowai), NH-208 (Khowai–Kailashahar), NH-208A (Kailashahar–Kurti), and NH-08 (Churaibari–Agartala). He was accompanied by state officials, including PWD Secretary Shri Kiran Gitte.
During his field visit, Dr. Kumar paid special attention to the severely damaged 12-kilometer stretch of NH-208 between Khowai and Kamalpur. This section, which has deteriorated significantly since its construction, has been a major point of concern for the state government and local commuters. The NHIDCL MD’s inspection was aimed at evaluating the quality of construction, tracking project progress, and holding contractors accountable for deficiencies.
Following the field inspections, Dr. Kumar met with Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha in Agartala. The meeting focused on accelerating the pace of ongoing projects and ensuring that the quality of work meets national standards. Both officials deliberated on a plan for urgent repairs and long-term maintenance of the state’s national highways.
Ongoing NHIDCL Projects in Tripura
NHIDCL is currently undertaking several projects in Tripura with the goal of improving internal connectivity and facilitating cross-border trade. A total of 830.9 km of national highways are being developed by the corporation in the state. Of this, 284.45 km have been completed, with 266.84 km currently under construction. Some of the key ongoing projects include:
- Agartala-Khowai Section (NH-108B): Rehabilitation and widening of this road to a 2-lane highway with paved shoulders.
- Manu-Simlung Section (NH-44A): This project is being carried out in multiple phases to upgrade the road to a 2-lane highway with paved shoulders.
- Udaipur to Srimantapur Section (NH-08): Improvement and widening of this 13.2-kilometer stretch, which is strategically important for international trade due to its proximity to the Srimantapur border check post.
- Kailashahar-Kumarghat Corridor (NH-208): A key project spanning 18.6 kilometers, aimed at improving inter-district connectivity in the northern part of Tripura.
- Agartala Western Bypass: A 25.402-kilometer bypass project designed to ease traffic congestion in the state capital.
- Bridge Construction: Construction of RCC bridges over the Gomati and Muhuri rivers to ensure all-weather connectivity and safety.
The high-level visit and subsequent meetings are expected to fast-track these projects and bring a renewed focus on addressing the state’s road infrastructure challenges.