NH-8 turns into death trap: Trucks stuck for hours, Public fury over construction

The Assam–Tripura National Highway No. 8 has virtually collapsed into a death trap this monsoon, leaving commuters, truck drivers, and pedestrians to risk their lives daily on a road that has become almost impassable.

On Friday afternoon, a 16-wheeler truck sank into the mud at Lowairpoa, triggering a massive traffic jam. Within minutes, more than 200 vehicles were stranded on both sides of the highway, some for hours. Witnesses say no responsible official from the construction company arrived at the site even two hours after the incident, sparking outrage among locals and drivers.

The crisis has been worsened by the closure of the Lowairpoa–Hatikhira bypass (NH-20) under the Bharatmala project, forcing heavy vehicles onto the narrow, fragile road through Lowairpoa bazaar. The extra load has quickly destroyed the surface, leaving deep ruts and dangerous stretches that now resemble a riverbed.

Residents allege that the construction company had earlier promised quick repairs to the damaged road but has shown little urgency. “Instead of solutions, we see indifference,” complained one local trader, echoing the frustration of hundreds stuck in the jam.

The situation has raised urgent questions: how will stranded vehicles be rescued, and when will normal traffic resume? For now, the highway remains a nightmare for commuters, a symbol of neglect, and a reminder of how vital infrastructure can collapse under poor planning and official apathy.