Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb on Sunday said he raised several important issues concerning Tripura and the Northeast during the recently concluded Parliament session.

Addressing a press conference after the session, Deb said he had submitted 57 starred and unstarred questions related to Tripura, of which 15 were accepted. He said issues concerning national highways, railway connectivity, education, fertilisers, natural gas, mineral resources, fisheries and various development projects in the state were raised in Parliament.

Expressing concern over the poor condition of several national highways in Tripura, Deb called for their urgent repair and renovation. He said roads in different parts of the state had been damaged due to the 2024 floods as well as alleged negligence by some contractors.

Deb advocated the use of concrete instead of bitumen for constructing roads that can withstand damage over a longer period. He said he had proposed an experimental concrete road project on the Udaipur-Amarpur stretch. According to him, although concrete roads may involve higher initial costs, they could prove more durable and cost-effective in the long run.

The MP also said that during his tenure in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, a total of Rs 15.76 crore had been utilised through MPLADS for various development works. In addition, 24 people from Tripura received financial assistance amounting to Rs 56.90 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund through his MP quota.

Tourism development was another major area highlighted by Deb. He said proposals had been submitted for tourism projects at Datteshwari Kalibari, Belonia and Jolaibari. A separate tourism project estimated at Rs 140 crore has also been proposed at Majlishpur in Jirania, he said.

Deb also stressed the need for comprehensive development of Unakoti. He said the focus should go beyond cleaning and preservation of the rock-cut sculptures and include facilities such as boundary walls, cafeterias, toilets, better connectivity and other conservation infrastructure.

The MP also spoke about various Bills passed during the Parliament session and the amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). He assured that he would continue working with the Centre and the state government for the early completion of pending national highway works, tourism projects and other development initiatives in Tripura.