Agartala, July 3: Tripura’s iconic Kharchi Mela commenced with grandeur at Khayerpur on Thursday, with Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha inaugurating the week-long religious and cultural fair amid heightened security and sweeping preparations. This year’s edition of the state’s second-largest festival places a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility and digital safety.

Drawing an estimated footfall of over 20 lakh, the festival pays homage to the revered Chaturdasha Devata—the 14 guardian deities of Tripura. It has also begun to gain international attention, with monks and cultural delegates from Nepal and Bhutan joining the celebrations, underscoring the event’s expanding regional appeal.

A major highlight this year is the inauguration of a Plastic Waste Segregation Centre at the mela venue. The facility, set up as part of the state’s broader green infrastructure initiative, aims to reduce plastic pollution and promote waste management awareness. Officials say the centre is expected to generate local employment and act as a model for similar eco-friendly interventions across Tripura.

“Kharchi Mela is not just a religious occasion; it reflects the evolving identity of Tripura—rooted in tradition but forward-looking in development,” said Chief Minister Saha during the inaugural address.

To ensure public safety and convenience, authorities have deployed medical units, emergency response teams, and comprehensive crowd control mechanisms. Surveillance has been intensified, and coordination between multiple departments is underway to manage the large influx of visitors.

In another significant development coinciding with the fair, Tripura’s first Cyber Crime Police Station was inaugurated on Saturday. Located in Agartala, the station is a dedicated facility to tackle the rising challenges of cybercrime, including financial fraud, online abuse, and digital data theft. The move marks a strategic shift in the state’s law enforcement priorities toward securing digital infrastructure.

As Khayerpur transforms into a vibrant confluence of culture and commerce, the fairgrounds bustle with tribal dance performances, traditional cuisine stalls, handicrafts, exhibitions, and devotional processions. The festivities will continue throughout the week, culminating in elaborate rituals and a celebration of Tripura’s rich and diverse heritage.