Agartala, October 2: Former Union minister of state Pratima Bhoumik has sought the setting up of agricultural markets at four locations and improvement of mobile connectivity in remote parts of Tripura during a meeting with Union Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia.
Bhoumik raised the issues during a courtesy meeting with Scindia and sought central intervention to address infrastructure gaps affecting farmers and residents in rural areas of the state.
She proposed agricultural market facilities at Tholibari and Bashpukur under Kathalia Block, besides DM Colony and Amgachia in West Tripura district.
Bhoumik said the proposed markets would give farmers easier access to buyers and provide them with facilities to sell their produce closer to their places of cultivation.
She also said improved market infrastructure could help reduce farmers’ dependence on intermediaries and provide better opportunities for marketing agricultural produce.
During the meeting, Bhoumik drew attention to mobile connectivity problems in several interior villages of Sipahijala district, particularly in Mohanbhog Block.
She identified Chandul, Jagatrampur, Kalikhola, Nidoya and Bhabanipur among the areas facing inadequate network coverage.
According to Bhoumik, poor connectivity affects residents’ access to essential services, particularly healthcare, education, emergency assistance and government services that increasingly depend on digital communication.
She urged the Centre to take necessary measures to strengthen telecom infrastructure and address gaps in mobile network coverage in the affected habitations.
Bhoumik also sought a habitation- and para-wise assessment of network availability in parts of Mohanbhog Block, saying that some locations officially shown as covered may continue to experience weak or intermittent connectivity.
She further sought completion of mobile coverage in remaining habitations identified under the PM-JANMAN initiative.
The former minister said reliable communication infrastructure was important for integrating remote communities with essential services and broader economic opportunities.
Bhoumik expressed hope that the issues raised during her interaction with Scindia would receive due consideration and result in concrete measures for the affected areas.
“Improved markets and better connectivity are not just conveniences—they are lifelines for rural communities. I am hopeful that the Centre’s cooperation will ensure these facilities reach the people quickly,” Bhoumik said.
She said the proposed measures were aimed at addressing two major concerns in rural Tripura — access to agricultural markets and reliable digital connectivity.
Bhoumik added that improved market facilities could assist farmers in accessing buyers, while stronger mobile networks would help residents of remote areas connect with essential services.
The proposals, if taken forward, would cover infrastructure requirements in several rural and interior areas of the state, she said.
