Agartala, July 31, 2025: Tripura’s former Chief Minister and Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb on Thursday made a strong pitch in Parliament for a Rs 100 crore central package to develop the archaeological heritage and tourism infrastructure of Unakoti, one of the Northeast’s most iconic heritage sites.

Raising the issue during the Lok Sabha session, Deb said, “Unakoti is not just a tourist destination—it is a sacred land that carries the emotional and spiritual traditions of our ancestors. It houses countless mythological symbols, including one crore carvings of gods and goddesses, dating back to the 8th–9th centuries.”

He accused the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of neglecting the site, saying, “The ASI has failed to maintain Unakoti properly, which is creating obstacles in the preservation of this historical and religious treasure.”

Deb demanded that the Union Ministry of Culture immediately sanction Rs 100 crore for the comprehensive renovation and conservation of the site. He also called for the development of surrounding infrastructure, including widening of the one-kilometre approach road from National Highway 208 to Unakoti.

“To support the growing number of visitors and promote Unakoti as an international tourist destination, we need to expand basic facilities like tourist rest houses, souvenir shops, open-air theatres, cafeterias, and assembly grounds,” he said.

Additionally, Deb strongly advocated for relocating the ASI regional office currently in Mizoram to Tripura. “Most of the ASI sites in the region are in Tripura, yet the work is being done from Mizoram. This results in bureaucratic delays and hampers proper execution. The office must be shifted to Tripura to ensure efficient functioning,” he asserted.

Unakoti, known for its rock-cut sculptures and archaeological remains, has been under consideration for UNESCO World Heritage status.