 |
| Satsang Temple at Kailashahar |
I am back in my home town Agartala after spending three days and two nights out of it. The train journey from Agartala to Kumarghat, a subdivision in Unakoti District was mooth, although the Agartala--Dharmanagar local moved from the starting point a bit late, around 6.45 a.m. instead of 6.15 am. I have been travelling by this train for quite sometime now but never experienced a delay like this. Anyways rest was smooth.
As directed by my brother I rushed off to the motor stand outside Kumarghat rail station to get hold of a seat; many people did this as if they had to be in a competition. There are two reasons behind this rush- game: one it offers a cheaper travel of around 40-50 minutes from Kumarghat to Kailashahar, the headquarters of Unakoti District. I was one of the front--runners I can say, as I had one of the front seats on the left hand side of the driver. Three known faces also travelled in the same bus but came a bit late, so had seats in the back.
The near one--our journey was good enough minus the physical waves got out of jerks. Thanks to the uneven, almost worn-out road. Two roads take you to Kailashahar from Kumarghat, one I had availed which is the old road and another via Fatikroy which had been popular in the recent past. Reportedly condition of both the roads is disheartening. In the last 5-6 years or so as I can remember I have not seen the main road in good shape despite several attempts to make it better. Don't know what's the reason.
Although Kailashahar is a a district headquarters, geographically it is located in a disadvantageous position, quite far from the national highway that is Assam- Agartala road, neither it is connected by the present rail network in Tripura. Considering this situation there is a plan (already approved) to construct an alternative rail line connecting Dharmanagar-Kailashahar-Kamalpur-Khowai-Agartala. Once this project is commissioned woes of the people of these backward areas (in terms of communication) will reduce to a great extent.
Kailashahar, also a subdivision of Unakoti District is home to Bengali Hindus, Bengali Muslims, Manipuris mainly. Sharing the international border with Bangladesh it had the problems like illegal penetration from the neighbouring country, theft, smuggling etc. However with the installation of barbed fences on the borders these problems are reportedly realities of the past.
Last night around 10.30 pm I reached home taking a different route and different mode of communication i.e. came by my car, Bibhuti went to pick me and my mom up. We started quite late around 5 pm. Thanks to Bibhuti's busy schedule. My mom was hesitating to travel at that hour considering Bibhuti's fast driving and the late hour journey. As Bibhuti assured to comply with the demand for composed and relaxed driving she gave in. Thank god, he complied with the promise this time unlike other times. This was the reason we reached so late. I know he could have taken us to Agartala by 9.30 had he wished.
On the way we had to pass through Kalatilla which is in fact extended range of Longtharai Hills on the Assam-Agartala road, Manikbhandar-Kamalpur, Atharamura Hills, Khowai - all district or sub-divisional towns and Baramura Hills. In between come many more places and markets of lesser administrative status. The road from Khowai to Hezamara is very nice but the rest specially Kalatilla and Atharamura is very narrow and uneven. Thanks to my Tata Zest that gave us comfort on such uneven roads.
Drive along the route I mentioned in day time and enjoy the greeneries of crop fields in Khowai, Manikbhandar-Kamalpur, Satero Miar Haor, views of Khowai river, Dhalai river, tea gardens, ICFAI University at Kamalghat, Agriculture College at Lembuchera, Army and BSF cantonment, Tripura High Court and so on .
Take a trip along this route and explore more if possible.
Comments
Post a Comment