December 19, 2018: In a whirlwind endeavor, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb met seven Union Ministers within five hours today in New Delhi and held crucial discussions on several issues relating to the State.
The marathon started with meeting Union Minister of Environment and Forest Harsh Vardhan. In the meeting, Vardhan reviewed all projects relating to power, road and ONGC projects and directed to process all the pending forest clearance within 2 weeks.
He also stated that a high-level team of officials would visit Tripura to examine feasibility of tailor made projects for Tripura, which could be supported by Central Government funding, a government press release said this.
Later, he also met Union Ministers – Union Minister for Communication Manoj Sinha, Union Minister for Power RK Singh, Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu in presence of Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha, Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Biplab Deb held meeting with Suresh Prabhu in presence of Jayant Sinha on pressing issue of the State – introduction of additional flights to-and-from Agartala. Suresh Prabhu directed that a meeting be held by the Ministry officials with Indigo, Air India, Spicejet etc in presence of State govt officials, regarding the issue of withdrawal of flights of Spicejet and Indigo.
The Civil Aviation Minister assured Biplab Kumar Deb that one more flight would be introduced between Agartala and Kolkata. He also directed concerned officials to examine feasibility of a non-stop flight between Delhi to Agartala.
In the meeting with the Union Minister Rajnath Singh, the issue of ongoing civil dispute regarding land under the possession of Assam Rifles in Tripura was discussed. The issue of expediting work on unfenced border areas by NPCC was also discussed.
Detailing about discussions held between Nirmala Sitharaman and Biplab Deb, a government press released stated, a recruiting centre of the Indian Army would be opened in Agartala for the convenience of the youth in Tripura. Sitharaman also agreed that 28.90 acres of prime land in Agartala would be handed over to the State Government from BRO.
A decision was taken relating to increase in number of Hotspots under Wi Fi Chaupal scheme in meeting between Manoj Sinha and Deb. The press release stated, number of Hotspots increased from existing 3 to 5 for 1178 Gram Panchayats under the scheme. Both Sinha and Deb also discussed regarding a pilot project, specially designed for Tripura of E-Band Technology based solution to be implemented in mission mode. A team of senior officers would visit Tripura to review ongoing projects.
Union Power Minister RK Singh agreed to request made by the Chief Minister that as the State was upgrading the 130 KV sub-station at Surjamoninagar to 400 KV, the future power transmission would be routed through this sub-station and transmission lines would accordingly be mapped. This would result in additional revenue gains to Government of Tripura.
