Agartala, June 22: Residents of Kalipur in Kailashahar town staged a road blockade on Sunday afternoon, protesting the deplorable condition of a local embankment that has become virtually impassable due to incomplete repair work. Despite repeated complaints to authorities and the contractor, no action was taken, prompting locals to take to the streets in frustration.
The embankment restoration work had begun over a month ago across Kailashahar subdivision but was temporarily halted due to rainfall. Although work has resumed in some parts, the Kalipur section of the embankment remains in a severely damaged state. Residents reported that no vehicles—large or small—can travel across it, and even pedestrians are struggling to use the route safely.
On June 22, at around 2 PM, agitated residents blocked the road at the Lakshichhara Bridge in Kalipur, halting all traffic movement into Kailashahar town. Commuters and daily travelers were left stranded, facing significant inconvenience.
Protesters alleged that the embankment had been covered with soil, but the soil was not leveled using proper machinery such as a roller or dredger. As a result, the surface has become entirely unfit for use, even for foot traffic. The disruption has also affected essential services, with even cooking gas cylinders unable to be delivered to homes in the area.
Despite facing these issues for nearly a month, residents claim that neither the local councillor nor leaders from any political party have visited the area or inquired about their condition. They also alleged that multiple complaints to the contractor and concerned government officials went unanswered.
The road blockade drew the attention of Kailashahar police, and by 3 PM, Officer-in-Charge Sukanta Sen Choudhury arrived at the protest site with a large contingent of police and TSR personnel. After prolonged discussions with the demonstrators, the OC assured them that the police would coordinate with the relevant department to level the soil and make the embankment usable again. Following this assurance, the blockade was lifted around 3:30 PM.
Meanwhile, Abdul Mannan, the contractor in charge from Mahi Construction, has come under serious allegations of corruption and irregularities since the beginning of the repair work. Senior BJP leader Arun Saha has submitted written complaints to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), the District Magistrate of Unakoti, local minister Tinku Roy, the Chief Secretary, and the Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, urging action against the contractor. However, locals claim that Abdul Mannan continues to act with impunity, ignoring government guidelines and carrying out the work as he pleases.
This issue is not confined to Kalipur alone. Similar problems have been reported from Durgapur, Sonamara, the eastern side of Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Govindpur, Madhya Govindpur, Forest Office Road, Cinema Hall Para, and Baulapasha—most of which are yet to see any effective restoration.
Two weeks ago, Minister Tinku Roy, along with the District Magistrate of Unakoti and other officials, visited the Govindpur embankment following public complaints. Despite his directive to level the embankments, proper leveling has only been done in Forest Office Road.
Locals warn that unless immediate and sincere efforts are taken by the government, the embankment repairs will be of no real benefit to Kailashahar residents. All eyes are now on whether the contractor will follow through on the police assurance and make the road navigable.
