Traffic snarls returned to the national highway at Churaibari on Sunday morning after truck drivers once again staged a blockade, protesting the sluggish pace of police inspections that have left vehicles stranded for several days. This marks the second major disruption in just three days, reflecting rising frustration among the transport community.
According to drivers, police checks at the border point have become so time-consuming that trucks often remain stuck for six to seven days. The prolonged delays have created massive traffic congestion on both sides of the Tripura–Assam border, severely affecting movement of freight and passenger vehicles. Protesters demanded that authorities either speed up the verification process or immediately install scanner machines to make inspections more efficient.
Drivers also highlighted the lack of basic amenities during the long wait, including no access to bathing facilities or toilets, which has worsened their hardship. Many described the situation as unbearable and urged the administration to take urgent corrective measures.
Police, however, maintain that strict inspections are essential due to the rampant smuggling of cannabis from Tripura to other states. Officials say they are caught in a dilemma: releasing vehicles without proper checks could provide an opportunity for traffickers, while manually inspecting every truck slows movement drastically and triggers traffic blockades.
Despite the district superintendent of police transferring seven officers in connection with smuggling-related lapses, the issue remains unresolved. Limited space at the local police station further complicates matters, as vehicles have to be examined in a single line, creating bottlenecks.
Truck drivers argue that three unused sheds inside the Churaibari Modern Checkpost could be used to expand inspection capacity. They believe that properly utilising the existing infrastructure would ease congestion significantly and reduce the prolonged suffering of drivers waiting on the highway.
