Agartala, Jun 17, 2022, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Agartala, June 16: The state government has taken some steps in view of the disruption of road communication following landslides on NH-6 in East Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya on Thursday.
 
There are apprehensions that the supply of essential commodities to Tripura would be disrupted as a portion of the NH-06 near the Lumshnong Toll Plaza has been washed away. The road is now closed for vehicular movement.
 
Addressing a press conference, principal secretary of Transport department L. Darlong said the frequency of cross-border bus services from Agartala to Kolkata via Dhaka would be increased to two buses daily from the existing one bus.
 
He said, a request has been made to the Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner for issuing VISA for this purpose as early as possible.
 
Besides, the Chief Minister has written a letter to the Union Minister of Civil Aviation for fixing the cap of airfare and introducing additional flights in Kolkata - Agartala, Delhi - Agartala and Guwahati-Agartala routes.
 
Students and patients with escorts travelling from Agartala to Kolkata, Agartala to Delhi and Agartala to Guwahati would be provided relief by the state government, he said.
 
Meanwhile, the NH-06 has been badly damaged at multiple locations across the East Jaintia Hills district especially from Nongsning to Ratacherra stretches following heavy rainfall for the past one week.
 
The principal secretary said, the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, principal secretary of Transport and principal secretary of PWD, Govt. of Meghalaya, and the MD, NHIDCL would be requested for early restoration of the NH-06.
 
Secretary of Food department- Sharadindu Chowdhury said, there is no need to worry as the state has sufficient stock of various essential commodities including petrol and diesel.
 
He said, the state has stocks of petrol for nine days and diesel for five days. The IOCL has been asked to ensure transportation of petrol and diesel through Bangladesh in case of emergency. He said, the stock of rice, edible oil, onion, pulse and flour is also sufficient.
 
He appealed to the traders and general people to cooperate with the state government. Director of Food department- Tapan Kumar Das was also present in the press conference.
 
Meanwhile, long queues of motorists were seen in most of the petrol pumps across Agartala on Thursday evening.