Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha inaugurated 23 development projects and laid foundation stones for four others, involving a combined investment of approximately Rs 69.11 crore, in South Tripura district on October 30, aiming to strengthen infrastructure, healthcare, drinking water facilities and socioeconomic development.
At A Glance
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CM Dr Manik Saha inaugurated 23 projects worth Rs 56.82 crore and laid foundation stones for four projects costing Rs 12.29 crore.
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Major initiatives include healthcare infrastructure, flood-control embankments, drinking water connections for 6,692 families and sports facilities.
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The government highlighted new investments in tourism, industrial development, road connectivity and employment-oriented training.
The inauguration programme took place at the Sachin Debbarman Auditorium in Belonia subdivision. Of the 27 projects, the Chief Minister virtually inaugurated 23 and laid foundation stones for four others.
The 23 inaugurated projects involved an expenditure of approximately Rs 56.82 crore. The four new projects will require an estimated investment of Rs 12.29 crore. Together, the initiatives represent development investments of around Rs 69.11 crore.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Saha said the government was implementing several initiatives to improve infrastructure, expand public services and accelerate socioeconomic development. He stressed that the government wanted to ensure balanced growth in both urban and rural areas.
Govt Emphasises Balanced Development and Employment
The Chief Minister said equitable development remained a major objective of the present government. He maintained that development programmes must benefit people across different sections of society, including those living in remote areas.
Highlighting employment initiatives, Dr Saha referred to the Mukhyamantri Yuva Yojana. The scheme focuses on improving the skills of unemployed youths through specialised training. The government is also arranging advanced coaching to help young men and women prepare for competitive examinations for government jobs.
He said 180 unemployed youths from South Tripura district had already cleared various competitive examinations. The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over their achievements.
Sports Infrastructure and Healthcare Facilities
Dr Saha said the government was taking several steps to strengthen sports infrastructure and encourage young athletes. He expressed hope that naming the South Tripura District Judo Centre in Belonia after Commonwealth Games gold medallist Asmita Debnath would inspire other sportspersons in the district.
On healthcare, the Chief Minister highlighted the expansion of hospital facilities and medical infrastructure across the state.
He said the government was increasing hospital bed capacity, establishing new health centres, introducing trauma care units and setting up additional medical colleges. A new medical college will also come up at Ambassa to serve the ADC areas. Tripura has nursing colleges to provide professional nursing education within the state.
According to Dr Saha, improvements in healthcare facilities have reduced the tendency among patients to travel outside Tripura for treatment. Kidney transplantation facilities are now available within the state.
He also highlighted affordable food and accommodation arrangements for patients’ relatives at AGMC Hospital in Agartala. They can obtain meals for Rs 10 and accommodation for Rs 30.
The Chief Minister said economically weaker patients could receive medical assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Arogya Yojana and Mukhyamantri Arogya Yojana. The government also plans to construct new district hospitals in Khowai and Sepahijala.
Industrial Investment and Connectivity Projects
Highlighting industrial development, Dr Saha said the government had established a tea auction centre to support Tripura tea industry.
He added that industrialists from outside the state were showing interest in investing in Tripura and signing memorandums of understanding for various industrial projects.
The Chief Minister claimed that State GDP had doubled within six months under the present government. He also pointed to several national-level awards received by the state for its development initiatives.
On connectivity, he said the government was repairing and upgrading highways to improve transportation. The electrification of the Sabroom-Badarpur railway line was another major step towards strengthening the state’s transport infrastructure.
Tourism Projects Aim to Attract More Visitors
The Chief Minister highlighted several initiatives to develop the tourism sector in Tripura. A replica of the 51 Shakti Peethas is under construction at Banduar in Udaipur.
The government is also developing Dumboor Lake and Chabimura to attract more visitors. Meanwhile, a five-star hotel is being developed at Pushpabanta Palace.
Dr Saha said tourist arrivals in Tripura had increased considerably compared to previous years. He added that the government was working towards fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas”.
He maintained that development benefits were reaching people at the last rung of society. He also claimed that the law and order situation in the state had improved.
Flood Protection and Drinking Water Projects Inaugurated
During his visit to Belonia, the Chief Minister unveiled a marble statue of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee at BKI Mor.
He also inaugurated three flood-control embankments in the Balarmukh area of North Belonia and Sukantanagar. Several drinking water projects under LI schemes also became operational.
These water supply projects will provide drinking water connections to 6,692 families in Belonia town.
In another initiative, Dr Saha handed over bank loan cheques to four women-led self-help groups to support their economic activities.
Ministers, MLAs and Officials Attend Programme
Cooperation Minister Shukla Charan Noatia, South Tripura Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Dipak Dutta, MLAs Pramod Reang, Mailaphu Mog and Swapna Majumder attended the programme.
TUDA Commissioner Mihir Kanti Gope, Revenue Department Secretary Milind Ramteke and social worker Dipayan Chowdhury were also present.
Kiran Gitte, Secretary of the Public Works and Health and Family Welfare Departments, addressed the gathering. South Tripura District Magistrate Md. Sajjad P delivered the welcome address, while Belonia Municipal Council Chairperson Nikhil Chandra Gope proposed the vote of thanks.
