Tripura’s Tourism Minister, Sushanta Chowdhury, has declared that the tourism sector will become the backbone of the state’s alternative economy in the coming years. Speaking during the Assembly session on Tuesday, April 1st, he emphasized the industry’s potential to drive economic and social development for local communities.
Minister Chowdhury highlighted the significant boost the state’s tourism industry receives from central and state government funding. He projected that within the next two years, Tripura’s tourism sector will reach a substantial level of development. He also criticized the previous government, stating that their “negative role” hindered the sector’s growth. “During the time of the previous government, about Rs 22.91 crore of the central scheme was returned as it remained unspent,” he alleged, contrasting this with the current tourism budget of Rs 150 crore.
He further underscored the importance of tourism, quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for India’s progress. He also announced that the development work of the Tripura Sundari temple under the Prasad scheme will be completed shortly.
To further promote tourism, Minister Chowdhury outlined several key initiatives:
- India-Bangladesh Maitri Uddan at Chattakhla: 11 service infrastructures have been constructed for Rs 4.50 crore.
- Agartala Jagannath Dighi Laser Show: India’s longest laser show has been launched to attract tourists.
- Water Tourism: 50 noiseless boats will be procured to enhance water tourism experiences.
- Tourist Transportation: Two state-of-the-art Armani buses have been purchased for Rs 68 lakh to improve tourist transportation.
- Homestay Promotion: The state government will introduce a policy to popularize homestays, aiming to expand beyond 40-50 homestays.
These initiatives reflect the Tripura government’s commitment to developing a robust tourism industry, creating economic opportunities, and showcasing the state’s rich cultural and natural heritage. 1
