Truck Drivers Block National Highway in Protest Over Slow Checking; Long Traffic Jams Persist
Churaibari checkpost in Tripura witnessed a major road blockade as truck drivers protested against extremely slow vehicle checking, which has caused traffic jams lasting up to six–seven days. Drivers demanded faster checking or the installation of a scanner machine. They complained of severe hardships due to lack of basic facilities during long waits. Police continue thorough checks to curb cannabis smuggling, but insufficient space and slow procedures are worsening congestion. Despite officer transfers, no effective solution has been implemented. Drivers suggest using vacant sheds at the modern checkpost to speed up the process.
NETB24
Churaibari, Tripura — Slow vehicle checking at the Churaibari checkpost once again led to massive traffic congestion on the national highway, prompting truck drivers to launch a road blockade on Sunday. This marks the second such protest within three days.
According to the drivers, police are taking an excessively long time to inspect each truck, causing vehicles to remain stuck for six to seven days at a stretch. Agitated over the situation, truck drivers parked their vehicles haphazardly and blocked the national highway near the Celtax area from Sunday morning.
The drivers demanded that either the checking process be sped up or a scanner machine be installed immediately to avoid delays. They complained that the continuous congestion has made it extremely difficult for them to access basic facilities such as bathing and toilets, worsening their hardship.
Police at the Churaibari checkpost have been thoroughly checking every truck amid rising concerns over the smuggling of cannabis (ganja) from Tripura to other states. While this has been necessary to curb illegal trafficking, it has also resulted in long queues of vehicles on both sides of the Tripura–Assam border. The situation has caused severe inconvenience to passenger vehicles and commuters as well.
Despite the district Superintendent of Police transferring seven officers in connection with this ongoing issue, no effective solution has yet been achieved. Due to the lack of adequate space near the police station, vehicles are being checked one by one, adding to the delay.
Meanwhile, three unused sheds lie vacant inside the Churaibari Modern Checkpost premises. Drivers and locals believe that if these sheds are used for vehicle checking, the process would become faster and truck drivers could avoid prolonged suffering.
The authorities, however, have not yet taken any concrete steps to address the growing crisis, leaving both police and drivers in a difficult position as traffic congestion continues to escalate.
