AGARTALA, September 28 (TIWN): Days are not so far when the sufferings of the public will meet an end. The facelift of the National Highway- 44 is expected to get over by 60 percent before Puja, says PWD Chief Engineer Sunil Bhowmik on Sunday.

Talking to TIWN correspondent, PWD Chief Engineer said that if the weather remains dry and if no disruption occurs due to rainfall than it expected that 60 percent of the renovation work of the National Highway will be over before Durga Puja.

National Highway (NH) stretches across the state would be re-carpeted in next one month.  

Besides, stressing on the early completion of the renovation work of the National Highway, PWD Chief Engineer said if the situation remain favourable than within one month the renovation work can be brought in to a position.

Asking about the fund, PWD Chief Engineer said that currently the facelift drive has initiated with an estimation fund around Rs. 10 crore allotted around of the State Government.

Keeping in mind of the poor condition of Assam-Agartala National Highway, the state government has decided to use NEC Highway- Kokital to Dharmanagar via Kathaltali to transport essential items to the state as a alternative route.

The deplorable condition of National Highway 44 is the only road connectivity that links mainland India with the eastern part of Meghalaya, Barak Valley in Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura has for a long time now remained a harrowing experience for helpless commuters.

However, frequent disruption of vehicular movement, seasonal landslides and alarmingly high rates of tragic accidents that claims scores of lives, have become the order of the day.

Presently, the road has turned from its original shape into a muddy or dusty road, depending on whether it is sunny or rainy, and the commuters have no option but to travel through this long stretch of “jumpy bumpy” road full of potholes and boulders, at times risking their own life, while on other occasions, putting their lives and safety in the hands of the driver.

Deplorable condition of the road also poses tremendous dangers to pedestrians and for the people residing on either side of the highway. On many occasions, pedestrians have reportedly been injured with stone chips hitting them, as vehicles pass by.