Trucks remain stranded due to damage of Assam-Agartala National Highway

Thousands of trucks and oil tankers are now stranded in Assam's Karimganj district due to damage of Assam-Agartala National Highway (NH-8).

People push trucks which is stuck in the mud. Pic/AFP

Heavy monsoon rains have caused the surface of NH-44 - which links the north-eastern Indian state of Tripura to the rest of the country - to be all but impassable. Some 4500 trucks, many laden with perishable goods are either waiting for the road to be cleared or remain stuckfast in muddy conditions.

Truck stuck in the mud

Essential foodstuffs and fuel are being transported into the region from neighbouring Bangladesh. Communications with this remote corner have been further compromised with the cancellation of train services due to damaged railway tracks.

Indian truck drivers and assistants attempt to push a loaded truck through heavy mud on National Highway 44 (NH-44)at Khasiapunji some 205 kms north of Agartala on the border of the north-eastern states of Assam and Tripura on July 5, 2016. Pic/PTI

Earlier, Tripura PWD minister Badal Chowdhury urged Centre and the Assam government for immediate repair of a portion of the National Highway 8 in Karimganj district of Assam as thousands of trucks carrying essential commodities for Tripura were stranded there.