Photo Courtesy: tripuratimes
Agartala: Tripura is building a massive, 154.45-km alternative highway to move beyond its total dependence on the vulnerable NH-08 corridor. Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha told the Assembly on Monday that the project aims to stabilize the state’s supply lines for food, fuel, and essential goods. The route connects Agartala to northern and central Tripura, providing a reliable all-weather path.
Before 2014-15, only one national highway covered 319 km. Now, the state and central government are expanding five more. This alternative artery links NH-108B, NH-208, and NH-208A. It consists of 38 km of NH-108B, 80.20 km of NH-208, and 36.25 km of NH-208A reaching the Kurti Bridge.
The project sits under the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, or NHIDCL. They split the work into 11 packages. The 12.8-km Lembucherra to Mohanpur stretch finished on April 22, 2023. Trouble hit the Mohanpur to Subalsing section, where NHIDCL fired the original contractor, M/s KLD Creation Infrastructure, on July 18, 2023. Their successor, M/s Sahu Construction, took over on March 1, 2024, but hit only 51.14 percent completion.
Heavy rain this past June and July clogged the road with mud. NHIDCL issued a suspension notice to Sahu Construction on July 23, 2026. "The state government, in coordination with the Central government and concerned central agencies, is taking all necessary measures to strengthen and modernise Tripura’s road connectivity," Dr. Saha said. The government issued a 60-day cure period notice to the contractor on July 13, 2026. Officials expect to replace the firm if performance does not improve.
The state is also working on NH-44A, NH-208 from Kumarghat to Amarpur-Harina, NH-208A, NH-108B, and NH-108A. Once finished, these roads will move more than just traffic. They will drive tourism, trade, and industry. MLA Antara Sarkar Deb pushed for the speedier construction, joined in the discussion by MLA Nirmal Biswas.
Comments