Massive Irregularities Alleged in Multi-Crore National Highway Project in Tripura

Serious allegations of large-scale irregularities have surfaced in the construction of the 11-kilometer stretch of the National Highway from Churaibari Seltex Gate to Shanishchara in Tripura. Locals claim that the work is being carried out with extremely poor quality, blatantly violating government guidelines, and under the supervision of side managers instead of qualified engineers.

Out of the total project, contractor Deepak Kar was allotted a 3 km stretch near Churaibari. In a rush to complete the work, he allegedly compromised on quality, resulting in severe road damage within just a month. Pitch and stones have started peeling off due to weak binding, raising questions about the durability of such a vital roadway, which witnesses heavy vehicular traffic daily. 

From the end of this 3 km stretch, contractor Raju Debnath of Minamati Enterprise was assigned a further 4 km near Shanishchara Forest Beat Office. His work too has drawn criticism for being substandard. Villagers from Chanpur allege the absence of crucial components like cross-lines, which help hold the pitch and stones in place. As a result, the newly laid road is already deteriorating.

Moreover, there is a lack of standardized measurement in laying the pitch—some areas have just half an inch, while others exceed one and a half inches. Locals also allege that construction is ongoing without proper measurement tools and without cleaning dust and debris using machinery, as required.

Regular presence of government engineers is also missing, and side manager Pramod Bhowmik, meant to oversee workers, is allegedly functioning as an engineer—raising further concerns.

Earlier, this stretch had turned into a death trap, prompting MP Biplab Kumar Deb to secure a multi-crore budget in Parliament for its repair. Despite crores being sanctioned for each kilometer, the quality of work remains far below expectations.

As monsoon approaches, residents fear the deteriorating road could become even more dangerous. Villagers demand urgent action from district administration and the local MLA to ensure accountability and safety on this critical stretch of highway.

Edit By Sriya Mishra & Biplab Debbarma