Tripura To Deploy More Buses Via Bangladesh After Highway Collapses In Meghalaya Due To Landslides

NH-6 has been damaged at multiple locations across the district especially from Nangsning to Ratacherra stretch due to continuous heavy rainfall over the last week.

(Image: PTI)

Days after road connectivity was disrupted after collapse of parts of National Highway 06 at Meghalaya due to massive landslides triggered by the incessant rains, the Tripura government on Friday announced that it will soon start four new buses on the Agartala-Dhaka-Kolkata route for people who want to travel outside the state. Currently, a bus service is operational in the route.  The state government has also asked the state-run Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to arrange supply of fuel via Bangladesh for emergencies, Indian Express reported.

Meanwhile Tripura Chief MinisterManik Saha has urged Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia to increase the frequency of flights in Agartala-Guwahati, Agartala-Kolkata and Agartala-Delhi routes. 

The state government has requested the Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner’s office at Agartala to expedite the process of issuing visas to Indian nationals wishing to travel via Akhaura Integrated Check Post as additional buses are about to commence operation between the two countries soon, Tripura Transport Secretary L H Darlong told reporters.

Massive landslides triggered by the incessant rains earlier this week caused enormous damage to the National Highway 06 which links Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and the southern part of Assam with the rest of the country.

According to reports, NH-6 has been damaged at multiple locations across the district especially from Nangsning to Ratacherra stretch due to continuous heavy rainfall over the last week.

The damage in NH-6 caused huge inconvenience to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and the southern part of Assam affecting ferrying of essentials, foodgrains, transport fuels besides passengers.

Even Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma held a review meeting on Thursday with deputy commissioners of different districts and formed four regional committees, each headed by a minister.

Train services have also been cancelled till June end.

Roads have been damaged at more than 61 locations in this section, resulting in disruption of the rail communication to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and parts of Assam.

Restoration works at 46 locations have already been completed and work at other 15 critical locations is going on in full vigour, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer, Sabyasachi De told news agency IANS.

Even in May, locations like Maibong, Mahur, New Haflong, Jatinga Lampur, New Harangajao and Damcherra witnessed landslides, flash floods and washouts causing massive disruption to normal life.