Agartala, Jan 25: Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the ambitious Rs 450-crore Matabari Tourism Circuit in Tripura, highlighting the Central government’s investment of nearly Rs 6 lakh crore in the Northeast over the past 12 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The ceremony was held at Narkel Kunj on the banks of Dumboor Lake in Gomati district, a scenic tourist hotspot, and was attended by Tripura Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury and senior officials from the North Eastern Council (NEC) and the state government. Chief Minister Manik Saha joined the programme virtually.
Scindia said the Matabari Tourism Circuit would provide a major boost to Tripura’s economy while creating 4,000–5,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, with nearly 30% participation by women. Self-help group (SHG) members and local youth will be actively integrated into tourism activities, and tour guides will be trained at premier institutions. The project will include floating jetties, eco-friendly resorts, modern tourist facilities, and immersive experiences reflecting local culture, enhancing Tripura’s international tourism appeal.
Announcing a broader development package of Rs 750 crore for Tripura during his three-day visit, Scindia highlighted projects including the Agarwood Cluster Processing Centre in North Tripura and initiatives to promote engineered bamboo, termed “Green Gold,” across the Northeast. He emphasized that strong Centre–state coordination and the Prime Minister’s vision of a ‘Developed Northeast,’ ‘Local to Global,’ and the ‘Act East Policy’ are transforming Tripura into a gateway to Southeast Asia.
The Matabari Tourism Circuit will cover key destinations including Ujjayanta Palace, Neermahal, Mata Tripura Sundari Temple, Chabimura rock carvings, and Narkel Kunj. Scindia noted that these initiatives, along with ongoing beautification and infrastructure development at Neermahal, Sepahijala, Udaipur, Chabimura, and Dumboor, will strengthen the state’s tourism sector, create employment, and contribute to Tripura’s economic growth.
