Locals, drivers protest over dilapidated condition of NH

Local residents and vehicle drivers joined forces to stage a protest on the Assam Agartala National Highway under the jurisdiction of Nadiapur-Shanichara Gram Panchayat, near Churaibari Police Station.

The protest was organized to demand immediate repairs to the severely deteriorated road conditions that have plagued the area for over a week.

The road blockade led to significant traffic disruptions. On receiving information about the protest, police officials promptly arrived at the scene to engage with the protesters.

According to the residents, the national highway has been in an extremely poor state for the past eight to nine days. Large potholes have accumulated water, turning the road into a makeshift pond.

“The overflow of water, combined with soil erosion, has filled the adjacent agricultural land with soil. Small vehicles have struggled to navigate the road, resulting in multiple accidents. Over the last nine days, several vehicular accidents have occurred on this stretch of the highway, injuring passengers, including children. These incidents compelled the locals to resort to a road blockade as a last resort to draw attention to the urgent need for repairs”, said the protestors.

In response to the protest, a Deputy Collector Magistrate (DCM) along with Churaibari police officials arrived at the scene. They engaged in discussions with the protesters and assured them that the issue would be addressed promptly. Based on these assurances, the residents agreed to lift the blockade.

One of the protesters expressed their frustration, stating, "It is next to impossible to drive on this road as the condition is very pathetic. We have asked the government, panchayat, and others, but no solution has emerged so far. When we protested, they assured us they would solve this problem as soon as possible."