Tripura High Court calls highways ‘pitiable’, orders audit of NHAI

The Tripura High Court, sitting in Agartala, issued a scathing observation that the condition of several national highways in the state is ‘pitiable’. The bench highlighted recurring potholes, poor drainage and unsafe road markings that jeopardise commuters’ safety.

In response, the court directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to conduct a full audit of all ongoing and completed projects in Tripura. The audit is to assess compliance with construction standards, quality of materials and timely completion.

The court also instructed the state government to cooperate fully with NHAI and to ensure that remedial work begins without delay. Officials were asked to submit a progress report within a stipulated timeframe.

Legal experts noted that the order underscores growing judicial scrutiny over infrastructure quality in the Northeast, and could prompt similar reviews in other states.

The NHAI has yet to comment publicly on the court’s observations or the forthcoming audit.