Tripura’s tea sector is poised for a significant advancement with the state preparing to launch its own tea auction centre in the next financial year. 

The initiative is expected to provide a major boost to local tea growers, as construction and other infrastructural works for the centre are nearly complete.

Tripura Tea Development Corporation (TTDC) Chairman Samir Ranjan Ghosh said on Monday that all essential infrastructure for the auction centre has been put in place and the facility is likely to become functional soon. Speaking at a press conference, he described the auction centre as one of the most important steps taken by the current government to strengthen the tea industry in the state.

Ghosh noted that once the centre becomes operational, tea producers in Tripura will be able to sell their produce through a transparent auction system, ensuring fair and competitive pricing. Currently, tea grown in Tripura is sent to auction hubs in Assam and West Bengal, where excess supply often prevents local growers from securing appropriate prices, despite maintaining good quality standards.

“With a tea auction centre within the state, transportation expenses will come down and the selling process will be quicker. This will directly benefit tea growers,” he said.

He also pointed out that Tripura’s tea industry had remained neglected for many years, but since the present government assumed office in 2018, the sector has seen steady progress due to targeted policies and development initiatives.

As part of efforts to promote Tripura tea, Ghosh announced that TTDC, in collaboration with the Tea Board of India, will organize the annual ‘Run for Tea’ event on December 17. The awareness run will begin at 6:30 am from the TTDC office and aims to highlight the quality and potential of Tripura tea.

The event will be flagged off by Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Tinku Roy, Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumder, along with heads of various public sector undertakings and other dignitaries. A three-kilometre run has been planned, with cash prizes for the top three finishers. Participation is open to people from all sections of society, including sportspersons and journalists.