AGARTALA, Dec 13 (TIWN): After getting 4 Express Trains now the NE connectivity to strengthen further as the life line of the state NH-44 to get a better shape after the budget declaration in February-2017. As per the source the Kadamtala area was renovated on temporary basis, as the central govt assumed that it will be ‘unsafe’ to directly allocate the fund to Tripura Finance dept as the fund under PWD may not be fully utilized due to huge corruption in the mentioned dept.

Thus the work was given to the MORTH but Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari instructed his ministry to repair the heavily damaged part of National Highway 44, in the month of June which was causing hindrance for plying of vehicles to and from Tripura. On that time North DM Sandeep Mahatme was also funded by the central directly for the temporary work, whereas at Assam Part highway was already recovered on permanent basis in various parts.

However, from this year the overall work on a smooth highway mission for Tripura to a momentum as the budget is to be doubled and as well as the central team will directly work on the project. As per the Govt report the road ministry has sought 50 % higher allocation in FY 18 around Rs. 86,000 crores, which is almost Rs. 29,000 crores or about 50 % higher than the last year budget.

On the ending day of NE Industry Summit on Sep 23^rd, it was said that although railway, port-ways are easing travelling, but the lifeline to business & commerce are the Highways, which are traditionally known as the shortcut common ways for trade.

It was also said by experts that the long term potential for Northeastern States to be connected seamlessly via road networks internally as well as externally--------1) Internally among the 8 state capitals through a Northeast Ring Road, and 2) externally with Asian Highway Network. 

Reaping the maximum benefits out of he Asian Highway Network will require having Motor vehicle Agreement in place with Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand initially, which can be extended subsequently with Cambodia, Lao, Vietnam and Malaysia, which may allow seamless movement of cargo vehicles and passenger vehicles across borders, boosting trade & tourism by manifold.

The Union Govt. has initiated mega road and highway expansion / upgradation, but at the end of the NE Industry Summit held from Sep 21 to Sep 23, it was reported that the overall progress has been very slow & Northeast Ring has still remained just as a concept. 

But Tripura  CPI-M Govt  is acting like a rebel to the Prime Minister & his all policies. Whereas due to corruption in PWD the roadways are left in miserable shape in Tripura, but when the Central Govt. is trying to help the state will better connectivity due to non-cooperation it’s not happening in reality.