Agartala, July 13: Continuous monsoon rains have once again exposed the poor condition of the under-construction National Highway-108B in Tripura’s Khowai district, with large stretches of the road turning into a muddy, waterlogged expanse, severely disrupting traffic and causing hardship to commuters.
What appeared at first glance to be a flooded paddy field was, in reality, a section of NH-108B, where rainwater and slush engulfed the roadway following several days of incessant rainfall. The deteriorating condition of the highway on Monday affected connectivity between Khowai, Mohanpur and Agartala, leaving thousands of commuters stranded or delayed.
The worst-affected stretch extends from Belfang through Subalsingh to Mohanbari, where nearly eight kilometres of the under-construction highway became virtually impassable for small vehicles. Motorcycles, auto-rickshaws and cars struggled to negotiate deep mud and waterlogged potholes, while heavy vehicles moved cautiously through the slush, leading to long traffic snarls.
Daily commuters, students, patients, office-goers and transport workers bore the brunt of the disruption. Several vehicles reportedly became stuck in the mud, forcing drivers, helpers and local residents to push them to safety.
Locals alleged that the crisis was not merely the result of heavy rainfall but also reflected delays and deficiencies in the execution of the highway project. They claimed poor-quality construction materials, inadequate soil compaction, lack of proper drainage and slow progress of work had left the road highly vulnerable during the monsoon.
Construction of NH-108B began nearly three years ago, but significant portions of the project remain incomplete. While some sections up to Khowai have been finished, work on the Belfang–Hezamara stretch via Subalsingh continues at a slow pace.
Residents also questioned the highway’s design, alleging that the alignment largely follows the old winding route instead of creating a straighter and safer corridor expected of a national highway.
Monday’s rain left several stretches riddled with water-filled potholes hidden beneath muddy water, making it difficult for motorists to judge road conditions. Soil and debris from nearby hill slopes also slid onto the highway at several locations, further worsening the situation and increasing the risk of accidents.
With the monsoon expected to remain active, residents, transport operators and commuters have demanded immediate restoration and speedy completion of NH-108B. They warned that unless urgent repairs are undertaken, the damaged highway could lead to serious accidents and prolonged disruption of connectivity in the region.
