Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha announced on Monday that he will take up the matter of expanding and modernizing the crucial Churaibari check post in North Tripura with the Assam government. This move aims to ensure smoother movement of vehicles and implement stricter border checks.
CM's Inspection Reveals Genuine Grievances
Speaking to the media after concluding a two-day visit to North Tripura, Chief Minister Manik Saha stated that he decided to personally inspect the check post after receiving numerous complaints about its functioning. "I found the grievances to be genuine," Saha confirmed, following his physical inspection of the site.
He emphasized that the state administration has already been directed to address the existing problems without delay. "The government does not tolerate irregularities. Strict measures have been mandated, failing which further action will be taken," the Chief Minister warned.
Key Issues: Congestion and Environmental Violations
Saha identified a primary bottleneck, pointing out that the Assam side of the border has limited space for checking, which frequently leads to severe traffic congestion. To resolve this, he plans to initiate direct talks. "I will discuss expansion and development with the Assam Chief Minister and raise the matter during the upcoming plenary session, too," he added.
During his visit, the CM also highlighted significant environmental concerns. He noted that several stone crushing units operating near the national highway were violating established norms. Regulations mandate that such units must be situated at least 100 meters away from the highway.
"These units were set up during the Left Front administration and have not been properly monitored," Saha remarked. He announced that a meeting would soon be convened to deliberate on regulating and potentially relocating these units. The issue of overloaded trucks carrying stone materials was also flagged for urgent reforms.
Direct Appeal to Citizens and Drivers
As part of his tour, Chief Minister Saha also inspected the IOCL depot in Dharmanagar. There, he interacted directly with drivers and officials, urging drivers to refrain from making any illegal payments. He encouraged them to report any such incidents directly to his office, assuring them that "such practices will not be tolerated."
The planned dialogue with Assam is seen as a critical step towards improving interstate connectivity and security at the Churaibari check post, a major gateway for Tripura.
