Agartala: Barely an hour of rainfall was enough to expose the cracks in Agartala’s civic infrastructure on Sunday, as several parts of the city, branded a “Smart City,” went under water within minutes of the downpour.
Major roads, market areas, and residential localities witnessed severe waterlogging, with knee-deep water disrupting vehicular movement and stranding commuters across the city. Two-wheelers stalled mid-road, while pedestrians waded through flooded streets to reach their destinations.
Shopkeepers in low-lying commercial areas scrambled to save goods from being damaged as rainwater gushed into their establishments, raising fresh questions over the city’s drainage system.
Residents expressed frustration over the recurring problem, alleging that despite repeated promises and crores spent on urban development under the Smart City mission, the civic administration has failed to provide a lasting solution to waterlogging.
This is not the first time the city has faced such a situation; similar scenes have repeated almost every monsoon, with poor drainage and unauthorised encroachment on natural water channels widely cited as key reasons behind the persistent flooding.
Civic authorities have not yet issued any official response on the matter.