With just three weeks left for the grand Durga Puja celebrations, the city of Agartala is grappling with unprecedented traffic congestion. The situation has worsened due to widespread road and drain construction work being carried out across the city, worth over ₹200 crore. While the development is part of major infrastructure upgrades, poor planning and execution have left citizens struggling with long traffic snarls and safety concerns.
For the past fortnight, traffic has slowed to a crawl on almost all major roads. Residents fear that unless the work is completed swiftly, the movement of vehicles and pedestrians during the festive season could become extremely difficult, potentially leading to accidents and chaos.
High-Level Meeting at State Secretariat
Taking serious note of the crisis, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha convened a high-level meeting at the state secretariat on Saturday. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, DGP Anurag Dhankhar, Secretaries Abhishek Singh and Kiran Gitte, DM (West) Dr. Vishal Kumar, SP (Traffic) Kanta Jangir, and SP (West) Namit Pathak.
During the meeting, Dr. Saha stressed the urgent need to address the worsening congestion and directed officials to ensure that people do not face unnecessary hardship during the upcoming Durga Puja festivities. He specifically instructed senior police officials and district authorities to maintain strict vigilance over the ongoing construction and ensure smoother traffic flow.
CM’s Directives to Officials
Highlighting the massive influx of devotees and visitors that Durga Puja attracts each year, the Chief Minister underlined the importance of preparedness. “Lakhs of people will gather in Agartala for Durga Puja. It is our responsibility to ensure their safety, convenience, and a smooth festive experience,” Dr. Saha said.
He directed the police, traffic management teams, and municipal authorities to:
- Intensify monitoring of road and drain upgradation works.
- Deploy additional traffic personnel at key junctions.
- Coordinate closely between departments to avoid last-minute issues.
- Ensure safety measures are in place to prevent accidents during festival rush.
Officials present at the meeting assured the Chief Minister that every possible step would be taken to ease congestion and facilitate a smooth celebration.
Growing Public Concerns
Meanwhile, citizens of Agartala have expressed frustration at the timing of the large-scale roadwork. Many residents have criticized the lack of planning, pointing out that carrying out such disruptive projects just weeks before Durga Puja has caused daily commuting to become a nightmare. Shopkeepers and traders have also raised concerns about the impact of traffic jams on festive sales.
Local residents say that with drains dug up, diversions in place, and dust-filled roads, travel across the city has become not only time-consuming but also hazardous, especially for schoolchildren and elderly people.
Outlook for Durga Puja
Durga Puja is the biggest cultural and religious festival in Tripura, attracting thousands of pandal-hoppers from across the state and neighboring regions. With festivities beginning in less than a month, authorities are under pressure to complete pending works on time.
If executed effectively, the development projects could improve Agartala’s infrastructure in the long run. But for now, all eyes are on the administration to balance progress with public convenience and ensure that Durga Puja 2025 is celebrated in an atmosphere of joy rather than chaos.