Agartala, September 07, 2024: The government of Tripura has received a significant boost in tourism development funds, with Rs 7044.41 lakh granted by the central government over the past three financial years. These funds are part of a wider initiative aimed at transforming the northeastern state into a prime tourist destination. Out of this substantial allocation, Rs 6218.99 lakh has already been utilized for various developmental projects in the tourism sector, and an additional Rs 5869.49 lakh has been contributed by the state government. The figures were revealed by Tripura’s Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury during the monsoon session of the state assembly.
Minister Chowdhury, responding to a query by CPIM MLA Nayan Sarkar and Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman, highlighted key projects underway to improve the state’s tourism infrastructure. “In the last three financial years, we have opened 41 advanced log huts across various tourist spots in the state, with 10 more to be inaugurated shortly,” said Chowdhury. He further noted that a light and sound show has been installed at the iconic Ujjayanta Palace, while a helipad has been constructed at Narikel Kunja in Gomati district to enhance accessibility.
As part of its eco-tourism drive, the Tripura government has spent Rs 3,298.47 lakh, alongside Rs 56.17 lakh allocated for adventure tourism. Significant efforts have been made to introduce adventure sports at Dumboor Lake, one of the state’s most popular destinations. “We have introduced water scooters, jet skis, floating jetties, and motorized boats, along with activities like water skis, inflatable kayaks, banana boats, and stand-up paddle boards,” Chowdhury elaborated.
The state’s tourism infrastructure has also received a lift under the central government’s flagship schemes, ‘Swadesh Darshan’ and ‘Prasad’. Under the Swadesh Darshan 1.0 project, tourist centers in Agartala, Sepahijala, Melaghar, Udaipur, Amarpur, and several other key locations have seen significant infrastructure upgrades. Meanwhile, the development of Mata Tripura Sundari Mandir is nearing completion under the ‘Prasad’ project, aimed at promoting spiritual tourism.
In addition to these, the state government is working on several new initiatives to further enhance the tourism landscape. “The Surma Rhama Waterfalls tourist center in Kamalpur subdivision is almost at the final stage of completion. Shahid Dhananjay Memorial Park in Jolaibari, Bharat Bangladesh Maitri Udyan, and the Boxanagar Buddhist Stupa Tourist Center are expected to be completed within two months,” the minister added.
The development of key tourist attractions such as Chitramura, Sonamukhi, Chaturdash Devata Mandir, and Kasba Kali Mandir is also underway, with an estimated budget of Rs 179 crore. The Asian Development Bank has been roped in for this massive undertaking, with work already started in several locations.
A significant effort is being made to preserve and promote Tripura’s rich cultural heritage. The state is transforming Pushpavant Palace and Durbar Hall into the Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya Museum and Cultural Centre. An ambitious project to procure modern houseboats for the Dumboor Reservoir has also been launched.
Additionally, projects worth Rs 40 crore have been approved for the development of Amarsagar in Udaipur under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), while another Rs 25 crore has been proposed for the development of 15 monuments in Udaipur and Chitramura.
Ropeway construction is also in the pipeline, aimed at making key tourist sites more accessible. “We have signed an MoU with the National Highways Logistic Management Limited (NHLML) for the construction of ropeways from Udaipur Railway Station to Matabari, Maharani to Chirmura, and in Jampui Hill,” said Chowdhury.
The minister also revealed plans to introduce ‘Home Stays’ in areas surrounding popular tourist spots such as Narkelkunja and Jampui Hill to provide tourists with a more immersive experience. A total of 11 home stays near Narkelkunja and four in Jampui Hill are in development.
Looking forward, Tripura’s tourism strategy includes a focus on destinations like Unakoti and Agartala, which are part of the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 project. The Ministry of Tourism is expected to allocate Rs 140 crore for these projects. Additionally, four new islands around Narkelkunj—Chitta Para, Amulisadan Para, and Twin Island—are also being developed under the NESIDS project.
“Tripura is positioning itself as a key player in the northeastern tourism circuit, with various innovative projects aimed at boosting both heritage and adventure tourism. Our efforts to promote tourism at national and international fairs, such as those held in Kolkata, Delhi, and Pune, reflect our commitment to making Tripura a must-visit destination,” concluded the tourism minister.
