Agartala, August 11: Frustrated over an acute drinking water crisis that has continued for seven consecutive days, local residents on Tuesday blocked the Assam-Agartala National Highway at 36 Mile in the Krishnapur area, bringing traffic to a standstill for nearly four hours.
More than a hundred residents took part in the protest, demanding an immediate restoration of drinking water supply. The blockade led to long queues of vehicles on both sides of the highway, leaving several passengers, commercial vehicles and even state minister Kishore Barman stranded.
Following the blockade, police from Mungiakami Police Station reached the spot. Officials from the administration, including DCM Sandeep Debbarma from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office and officials of the Public Health Engineering/Drinking Water and Sanitation (DWS) department, also arrived at the site.
The officials held discussions with the protesters and assured them that steps would be taken to resolve the water crisis at the earliest. Following the assurances, the protesters withdrew the blockade after around four hours, allowing normal traffic movement to resume on the national highway.
According to local residents, drinking water supply in the area has remained completely disrupted for nearly a week. Despite repeated complaints to the concerned department, no permanent solution has been provided so far.
Residents said the crisis has forced many families to travel long distances to collect drinking water. Children, elderly people and those suffering from illnesses are reportedly facing particular difficulties due to the prolonged shortage.
The protesters demanded an immediate restoration of regular drinking water supply and a permanent solution to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
Although the blockade was withdrawn following the administration’s assurances, residents warned that they would launch a larger agitation if the problem is not resolved quickly.
