Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Agartala: Agartala is getting a transit and infrastructure overhaul. The state has floated a tender for 10 electric buses to improve public transport. These nine-metre vehicles will serve the city and areas within a 12-km radius. Charging stations are also in the works. Urban Development Department Secretary Milind Ramteke noted that the city currently lacks proper infrastructure. "Agartala currently lacks a well-organised public transportation system and adequate electric mobility infrastructure," he said.
This bus project is part of a larger, Rs 1,200 crore program supported by the Asian Development Bank. Officials hope to have the buses running by Durga Puja. ADB funds will also tackle the city's chronic flooding issues. A Rs 600 crore drainage project sits at the center of this plan. It aims to cut water clearance times from two hours to just 15 minutes.
Current drainage relies on 17 pumping stations. Six sites use mechanical pumps, including Banamalipur and the East Police Station area. Rain over 40 mm per hour often overwhelms the system. The city plans to add three more pumps to the existing fleet. Engineers are also testing a SCADA-based automated system to trigger pumps once water reaches a set level.
The city's flood strategy extends beyond pumps. Officials identified 55 water bodies for desilting to boost storage. They also proposed covering the Kalapania canal for Rs 75 crore. A long-term study will look at the Haora and Katakhal rivers for potential embankments or barrages. Meanwhile, the 23-km Smart Road project is halfway done. Roadside drainage is nearly finished, with 45.5 km of the planned 46 km already built.
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