Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari recently met with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha in New Delhi to evaluate the progress of National Highway projects in the state. The discussion centered on expediting ongoing projects, enhancing road maintenance, and initiating new projects to improve connectivity within Tripura and neighboring states.
Chief Minister Saha, who also oversees the Public Works Development portfolio, expressed appreciation to Minister Gadkari for the significant expansion of Tripura’s National Highway network from 198 km in 2014 to 923 km in 2026. During the meeting, Chief Minister Saha highlighted key issues and urged their prompt implementation.
The meeting addressed the approval of the alignment for the proposed four-laning of the 130-km Churaibari-Champaknagar stretch of NH-8, which will feature a greenfield four-lane highway running parallel to the railway line, including tunnels through the Atharamura and Longtharai hill ranges. Land acquisition for this ambitious project is set to begin soon.
Chief Minister Saha disclosed plans for handing over more than 90% of the required land and completing utility shifting for the Ranirbazar-ISBT section of NH-8 by August 2026, after which the construction tender will be floated by NHIDCL. Additionally, the DPR for the four-laning of the Agartala-Udaipur section of NH-8 is in its final stages, with the alignment expected to be finalized by August 2026.
