Agartala, September 08, 2025: Severe allegations of negligence have emerged over the ongoing drainage renovation under the Tripura’s Smart City Project in Agartala, after workers allegedly damaged multiple utility lines during late-night construction near Laxmi Narayan Bari.

According to reports, the excavation went beyond the designated area, snapping gas pipelines, water lines, and electricity cables at once. The incident triggered widespread disruption of essential services, causing major hardship to residents across Agartala and its adjoining localities.

Tripura Natural Gas Company Limited (TNGCL) informed that it had not received any prior notice before the digging began. Damage to pipelines reportedly hit supply in key areas, including Circuit House, Guwalabasti, Shalbagan, Airport Road, and Abhoynagar. Simultaneous outages of both gas and electricity threw daily life into disarray.

Local sources alleged that workers, in some cases, deliberately extract thick copper cables unearthed during digging and sell them in the market. Residents claimed that work continues largely unsupervised, with no senior officials from the contractor company monitoring the site.

The recurring negligence has sparked anger among citizens, who held both the administration and the contractor responsible for repeated service breakdowns. “Every time something goes wrong, we are the ones who suffer,” said a resident from Shalbagan.

Meanwhile, the drainage work has also worsened traffic snarls in several parts of the city, especially during evening rush hours. Commuters, including students and office-goers, are left stranded in long jams. Though the Chief Minister has directed traffic police to intensify monitoring, residents doubt whether the measures will bring real relief.

Adding to the frustration, electricity supply is reportedly being cut in some areas without prior notice in the name of pre-festival preparations. The unannounced outages have caused water shortages, losses for businesses, and severe disruption to households.

Caught between the vision of Smart City development and the recurring collapse of essential services, Agartala residents are demanding stricter supervision, better coordination among agencies, and accountability to prevent such crises in the future.