Agartala: The Tripura government on Monday told the Legislative Assembly it will undertake phased double‑laning of the state's remaining state highways and is considering a new 3.985‑km double‑lane flyover in Agartala to ease growing traffic congestion, Chief Minister Professor Dr. Manik Saha said.
Scope of highway upgrades
Replying to a question from BJP MLA Tafajjal Hossain, Dr. Saha said 204.45 km of state roads have already been upgraded to double‑lane. He added that the remaining stretches of state highway would be taken up for double‑laning in the next phase subject to land availability and funding.
The Chief Minister explained that several state roads presently comprise mixed carriage — single‑lane, intermediate and double‑lane portions — and that upgrades would be carried out according to technical requirements identified by the Public Works Department (PWD).
Alternative alignments and local concerns
In a supplementary question, Tafajjal Hossain urged reconsideration of the proposed alignment of the Bishramganj–Melaghar–Sonamura–Belonia road, suggesting an alternative route via Bishalgarh, Boxanagar and Sonamura. He argued the alternative could serve more constituencies and avoid risks to the Gomati river embankment and adjacent flood‑prone areas.
Dr. Saha said the government was already considering development of routes involving Bishalgarh, Boxanagar and Amtali‑Sabroom as full double‑lane roads, but reiterated that progress would depend on availability of funds.
New flyover plan for Agartala
Addressing traffic issues raised by CPI(M) MLA Dipankar Sen, who sought expansion of the existing flyover network and long‑term planning such as metro connectivity to Udaipur, Teliamura and the airport, the Chief Minister said there was presently no proposal to extend the existing airport flyover towards Amtali.
However, he outlined a separate plan for a new elevated corridor in the city: a 3.985‑km double‑lane flyover from Fire Brigade Chowmuhani through CAD Chowmuhani, Shankar Chowmuhani and Durga Chowmuhani, crossing Katartal and terminating at Radhanagar Bus Stand, with entry and exit connectivity towards Battala.
“Feasibility studies, detailed layout planning, typical cross‑sections, tentative estimates and land acquisition planning have already commenced,” Dr. Saha said.
The Chief Minister said the project would be expedited once financial clearances and required land were secured.
Next steps and implementation challenges
Officials have begun preparatory work for the flyover, including feasibility and detailed layout studies, cross‑section designs, tentative cost estimates and land acquisition planning, according to the Assembly reply. The statement did not include a timeline, budget figure or funding source for construction.
Land acquisition and fund mobilisation were signalled as the main constraints for both the highway upgrades and the flyover. The government indicated that prioritisation and phasing would follow technical assessments and resource availability.
- Upgraded so far: 204.45 km converted to double‑lane.
- Planned flyover: 3.985 km from Fire Brigade Chowmuhani to Radhanagar Bus Stand with Battala access.
- Key constraints: land availability and funding; feasibility and land‑acquisition planning under way.
| Item | Figure / Status |
|---|---|
| State highway double‑laned to date | 204.45 km |
| Proposed flyover length | 3.985 km |
| Key dependencies | Land acquisition, funding, technical requirements |
Local impact and policy context
The proposed works, if implemented, would reshape traffic flows within Agartala and improve connectivity across parts of the state. Upgrading mixed‑carriage roads to continuous double lanes can reduce bottlenecks and improve road safety, but such projects often require careful assessment of environmental impacts, river embankment stability and flood management in low‑lying areas bordering the Gomati and other waterways.
Dr. Saha's remarks in the Assembly reflect an incremental approach: proceeding with feasibility and design studies before committing funds or an implementation schedule. The government did not provide projected costs or a funding model — such as state budget allocations, central assistance, or public‑private partnership — in the reply.
Lawmakers seeking alternate alignments underlined the political and social dimensions of infrastructure planning, where route choices affect constituency access, agricultural land, flood defences and long‑term urban growth patterns.
As the preparatory work advances, further assembly updates or formal PWD project notifications are likely to provide details on estimated costs, timelines and land acquisition plans.
