Attempts on to restore NH-44: Suklabaidya

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

AGARTALA, June 20: Assam PWD minister Parimal Suklabaidya doesn’t see an immediate possibility of early restoration of the tiol Highway-44 for normal traffic movement despite all attempts on his part. The road is connecting Tripura with the rest of the country and also known as lifeline for the state.

When contacted by the reporters from Tripura he said undertaking work for repairing of the road became difficult due to incessant rain in the area. However, he said instruction has been given to restore the  road with topmost priority.

He said it is possible to make the road workable if there is no rain for few days continuously.

However, he assured that the road will be fully restored to normal in the coming winter season.The condition of the road is worst in a 7 km stretch from Lowerpoa to Salgai. The condition is especially bad at Lowerpoa, Khasiapunji and Hatai.

The minister also said that at Lowerpoa there is virtually no road. The road turned so dilapidated due to not undertaking any maintence work in last three years.

It may be recalled that the Governor of Tripura Tathagata Roy has earlier requested the Union Minister for Surface transport Nitin Garkari and the Assam Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonwal to intervene into the matter. Both have assured of early restoration of the road but the incessant rain is plying the spoilsport.

Meanwhile, hundreds of trucks and other vehicles carrying essential and other commodities remain stranded on the road causing serious crisis in the state. The prices of the essential commodities are sky rocketing due to non arrival of the supplies.