AGARTALA, July 21 (TIWN): Tripura’s 3 MPs finally ended their long slumber, met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday followed by shedding crocodile tears over NH-8 (44) ‘s dilapidated condition which these MPs have been witnessing over 2 years. Its not unknown to these 3 MPs that NH 8(44) is Tripura’s lifeline which was in muddy condition since 2 years but this important issue was never raised to Parliament or taken up on war-footing basis with Modi Govt’s dynamic Ministers. Due to lack of maintenance and co-ordination between State PWD and National Highway (NHAI) authorities, NH-8 (44) turned into immovable mud trap. As soon as Tripura MPs met MoRTH Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday, Minister asked officials to send a technical team to the northeast region to restore Tripura's lifeline NH-8. NH connectivity to Tripura will be totally snapped as the condition of the so called NH44 (8) is a mud-field. At least few thousands loaded trucks are stranded for since 20 days and there is no one to look into the miseries of the truck drivers who is facing tough time due to the poor condition of the road. Talking to TIWN correspondent, Executive Engineer Malay Deb said that heavy rain is disrupting the daily repairing work but constructions underway. Labourers are engaged in the construction work amidst heavy rains.

Executive Engineer further said that  the construction company has taken up new measures for the repairings of NH -8(44)

However, the construction company have now started fixing bamboo panes piled up with sand as a carpet and are trying for the immediate renovation of the road.

As mud slides have filled the road, these bamboo panes are the only way to make the road moveable in this situation of crisis.

He further said that renovation of a road is a continuous process and agency is continuously carrying out the renovation work to avoid any traffic glitch on the NH44 as it is one of the lifelines of Tripura.

The deplorable condition of National Highway 8 (44) and NH-208 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 but it seems that the road will be renovated soon and there will smooth movement of vehicle in the street.

If rain does not interrupt the road will be renovated soon and the wok will be completed in just few days, said Deb.

Lack of repairing of the NH44 road especially from Churaibari to Lowerpoa has left the road in poor condition.  The particular road has not undergone any permanent renovation till now and the initial repairing of the road has left the road in critical condition.

If the road is not repaired in the dry season the road will be left totally paralysed in the coming days, as a result the vehicles have to travel through such terrible route.

Alleged negligence of Assam and Tripura governments paralyzed the National Highway 44(8) from Lowerpoa of Assam’s Karimganj district up to Churaibari Assam gate is laying in a terrible state.

Even though 3 Tripura MPs met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for repairing NH-8(44) but these MPs themselves are yet to visit the muddy NH-8(44)' , neither Tripura CM Manik Sarkar felt the inspect the terrible condition of State's lifeline.

NH-8(44)'s dilipiated condition is nothing new, since 2 to 3 years  every rainy season turns NH-44 a death trap for Truck drivers and commuters.