Agartala, September 10: The Pecharthal-Nabincherra stretch of the Assam-Agartala National Highway in Tripura’s Unakoti district has emerged as a major source of concern for commuters, with deep potholes, accumulated rainwater and mud making road travel increasingly difficult during the monsoon.
Motorists said the damaged portions pose a particular challenge after rainfall, as several potholes remain covered with water and become difficult to distinguish from the road surface. Vehicles moving through the affected areas are reportedly being forced to slow down considerably, while some have become stuck in the muddy and uneven stretches.
According to local drivers, the road has been in poor condition for over six months. They claimed that repair work has been undertaken periodically but has not succeeded in preventing the recurrence of potholes.
Toto driver Anupam Chakma said heavy rainfall frequently brings traffic movement to a near standstill. He said vehicles are sometimes forced to wait in long queues, while families travelling with patients face additional difficulties because of delays on the damaged road.
“During heavy rain, vehicles have to move very slowly and sometimes remain stranded in queues for a long time. Taking patients to hospitals becomes particularly difficult,” Chakma said.
Another Toto driver, Gautam Nama, said the potholes have become a daily problem for drivers. He alleged that vehicles often get trapped in the deeper craters, leading to damage to tyres and other mechanical components. The repeated repair bills, he said, are adding to the financial pressure on drivers who depend on their vehicles for their livelihood.
Nama also questioned the effectiveness of periodic road repairs, alleging that temporary patchwork frequently fails under heavy traffic and prolonged monsoon conditions.
Jamal Uddin, another local driver, urged the authorities to address the problem through permanent road restoration rather than short-term measures.
Meanwhile, residents have questioned the quality of some repair works and alleged that contractors have not always maintained the required standards. Some locals have also raised allegations of irregularities in the execution and maintenance of the road. The allegations could not be independently verified.
Commuters have appealed to the authorities concerned to inspect the entire affected stretch and initiate comprehensive repairs at the earliest.
They said immediate action is necessary to prevent further deterioration, reduce the risk of accidents and restore smooth movement along the important highway corridor.
