Agartala, October 15, 2025: In a significant move to transform Tripura into a prime tourism destination, the state government has unveiled seven ambitious projects worth over Rs 500 crore. The announcement came during the National Conference of Tourism Ministers held in Rajasthan, where Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was present.
Tripura’s Tourism and Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, addressing the gathering, took a swipe at the previous Left Front government for “completely neglecting” the tourism sector for decades. “Tripura is situated in a geographically unique location, surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides. Unfortunately, the earlier regime made no meaningful efforts to promote tourism. The real transformation began only after 2018, when our government came to power with a vision to make Tripura a promising tourist hub,” said Chowdhury.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha for their “unwavering support and guidance,” which have propelled Tripura’s tourism prospects. “As per a recent Ministry of Tourism report, Tripura now ranks second in foreign tourist inflow among all North Eastern states. This is a remarkable achievement that reflects our growing appeal,” Chowdhury added.
Tourism Secretary UK Chakma outlined the state’s focus on eco-tourism and sustainable development, citing that nearly two-thirds of Tripura’s area is forested. He emphasized that major tourist spots like Ujjayanta Palace, Neermahal, Unakoti, Tripura Sundari Temple, Chabimura, Dumboor Lake, Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary, and Jampui Hills are being developed with upgraded infrastructure.
Chakma revealed that Tripura now has the second-largest airport in the North East, offering direct air connectivity to Delhi, Kolkata, and other major cities, a key factor driving tourism growth.
The proposed Rs 500-crore projects include: A combined adventure, eco-tourism, and water park at Sachindranagar Colony, Jirania, modeled after 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; and Launch of Paryatan Sahayak Prakalp, a tourism entrepreneurship scheme to empower local stakeholders.
According to Chakma, Tripura witnessed a 64.08% surge in domestic tourist arrivals from 3.66 lakh to 6.01 lakh and a 36.16% increase in foreign tourist visits, reaching 91,000 between 2023 and 2024. “These numbers reflect growing confidence among travelers in Tripura as a safe, scenic, and sustainable destination,” he said.
The state government believes that with strong Centre-state collaboration, Tripura can soon emerge as the next tourism success story of the North East.
