By Tripura24 News Desk | Agartala Tuesday, February 10, 2026
AGARTALA (Krishnagar): Shri Tokhan Sahu, the Hon’ble Minister of State (MoS) for Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, addressed a pivotal press conference today at the Pradesh BJP Karjalaya in Krishnagar. The Minister, currently on a two-day official tour of Tripura, shared a detailed roadmap for the state’s urban development, emphasizing the “Housing for All” mission and the progress of the Smart City projects.
Focus on PMAY-U 2.0 and Light House Project
Addressing the media at 01:00 PM, Shri Sahu highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry has launched PMAY-Urban 2.0 to cover the remaining eligible beneficiaries. He specifically lauded the progress of the Light House Project (LHP) in Agartala, which uses modern sustainable technology to provide climate-resilient houses.
“Tripura has been a frontrunner in implementing urban housing schemes. Our goal is to ensure that by the end of 2026, every eligible urban family in Agartala and other municipal towns has a ‘pucca’ house with basic amenities like water, gas, and electricity,” MoS Shri Tokhan Sahu stated.
Smart City and AMRUT 2.0 Progress
The Minister revealed that he had conducted a high-level review meeting with state officials and the Agartala Smart City Limited (ASCL) team.
- Water Security: Under AMRUT 2.0, the Ministry is prioritizing universal water tap connections and the rejuvenation of local water bodies to make Agartala a “water-secure” city.
- Urban Mobility: The Minister expressed satisfaction with the installation of smart poles, CCTV surveillance for safety, and the development of integrated drainage systems to prevent urban flooding during monsoons.
- Waste Management: He emphasized the “Lakshya Zero Dumpsite” initiative, aiming to clear legacy waste from Agartala’s outskirts by September 2026.
Empowering Street Vendors via PM-SVANidhi
Shri Sahu also interacted with several beneficiaries of the PM-SVANidhi scheme earlier in the day. He noted that Tripura has shown remarkable success in digitalizing small businesses.
- More than 15,000 street vendors in Tripura have already benefited from collateral-free loans.
- The Minister urged the municipal bodies to create dedicated “vending zones” to ensure that these entrepreneurs can conduct business with dignity without obstructing city traffic.
Commitment to the Northeast
Reiterating the Centre’s ‘Act East’ policy, Shri Sahu mentioned that the North Eastern states are receiving special budgetary attention. He assured that there would be no shortage of funds for Tripura’s urban rejuvenation as long as the projects are completed within the stipulated timelines.
The press conference was attended by senior BJP leaders, including state spokespersons and organizational secretaries, who welcomed the Minister’s proactive approach toward Tripura’s urban growth.
