The Tripura Tourism Department has unveiled seven ambitious tourism projects worth over Rs 500 crore, aiming to transform the state into a major travel destination in the North East.
The announcement was made during the second National Tourism Ministers’ Conference held in Rajasthan today, chaired by Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Tripura Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury addressed the meeting, criticizing the previous Left Front government for failing to prioritize tourism development. “Tripura, surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides, was long neglected in terms of tourism potential. It was only after 2018 that our government began serious efforts to promote Tripura as a promising tourist destination,” Chowdhury stated.
He credited the state’s progress to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, adding that Tripura is now emerging as an important tourism hub in the region. “According to a recent report by the Ministry of Tourism, Tripura ranks second in foreign tourist arrivals among all North Eastern states. This recognition motivates us to continue our efforts for holistic tourism development,” he said.
Highlighting environmental constraints, Chowdhury noted that nearly two-thirds of Tripura’s land is forest-covered. The state government is therefore focusing on eco-tourism and sustainable projects under a unified destination development plan.
Tourism Secretary U.K. Chakma detailed the proposed projects, emphasizing key attractions such as Ujjayanta Palace, Neermahal, Unakoti, Tripura Sundari Temple, Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary, Chabimura, Dumboor Lake, and Jampui Hills. He also mentioned that Tripura’s Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport—the second-largest in the North East—offers direct connectivity to major cities like Delhi and Kolkata.
The seven proposed projects include:
A state-of-the-art adventure, eco-tourism, and water park at Sachindranagar Colony, Jirania (inspired by Kolkata’s Nicco Park).
An adventure park at Mohanpur.
A grand replica of the 51 Shakti Peethas at Bandowar, Udaipur (Gomati district).
Infrastructure upgrades at Chabimura and Unakoti.
Waterfront development in Amarpur.
The launch of Paryatan Sahayak Prakalp, an entrepreneurship scheme to empower local tourism stakeholders.
Together, these initiatives are expected to cost around ₹500 crore and strengthen Tripura’s position as a premier tourism destination.
Chakma concluded by highlighting Tripura’s remarkable tourism growth, with domestic tourist arrivals rising by 64.08% to 6.01 lakh, and foreign arrivals increasing by 36.16% to 91,000 between 2023 and 2024.
“These figures reflect growing traveler confidence in Tripura as a safe, scenic, and sustainable destination,” he added.
