Agartala, November 03, 2025: Despite being India’s second-largest natural rubber-producing state, Tripura continues to face major obstacles in setting up rubber-based industries, primarily due to logistical bottlenecks, a senior Rubber Board official said.

Currently, the state has only one operational rubber thread production unit at the Bodhjungnagar Industrial Area in West Tripura. “The dream of establishing a tyre manufacturing unit in Tripura remains unfulfilled because of logistical constraints. Nearly 70 per cent of the non-rubber components needed for tyre and tube production are unavailable locally, making it difficult for entrepreneurs to set up factories,” said Sali N, Joint Rubber Production Commissioner of the Rubber Board, Agartala.

He noted that although India produces about 46,000 types of rubber products, Tripura suffers from high production costs due to dependence on external suppliers. “Importing non-rubber components from outside raises the cost substantially, which discourages investors,” Sali added.

The official also cited the state’s limited raw rubber production and market size as further constraints. “Tripura produces around 1.16 lakh metric tonnes of natural rubber annually, which a single large factory could consume in just a few months,” he said.

However, Sali also highlighted that rubber cultivation has significantly uplifted Tripura’s rural economy by ensuring stable income for farmers. “Growers have no issue with market access. In some cases, they even get advance payments,” he stated.

The Rubber Board and the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) are jointly implementing a five-year initiative for new and replanting over 30,000 hectares across the Northeast. Under the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission, Tripura has already achieved 47,746.84 hectares of plantation.

Meanwhile, the Tripura Rajya Rubber Utpadak Samity (TRRUS) criticised the state government’s inaction in promoting rubber-based industries despite strong production potential. “Farmers are producing quality sheets that can support small industries, but there is no initiative to add value,” said TRRUS Secretary Pranab Debroy.

Industry leaders maintain that with better logistics, infrastructure and policy intervention, Tripura can emerge as a leading hub for rubber-based manufacturing in the Northeast.