Agaratala: Mar 19: The “Amra Bangali” party has voiced strong opposition to the construction of a Taj Hotel at Pushpavant Palace, citing concerns over the preservation of cultural heritage. In a press release, the party criticized the state government and the Tipra Motha party for their roles in the matter.
According to the statement, ₹258 crore has been allocated to the Autonomous District Council (ADC) for tribal community development, along with a promise of 200 jobs for Tipras at the proposed hotel. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the state government and the Tata Group, transferring the Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya Museum and Cultural Center to the Taj Hotel Group for the construction of a five-star hotel.
The party alleged that the project would lead to the demolition of the guesthouse of the Manikya kings, a site of emotional significance for the Bengali hill community. They suggested that an alternative location be chosen for the hotel, emphasizing that Pushpavant Palace is a century-old heritage site tied to the memories of Rabindranath Tagore and the Manikya royal family.
Pushpavant Palace, formerly known as Kunjoban Palace, was renamed by Tagore during his visit to Tripura in 1926. The palace has served various roles over the years, including as the Chief Commissioner’s bungalow and later as the Raj Bhavan until 2018. In 2022, it was inaugurated as a digital museum by President Droupadi Murmu to preserve the cultural heritage of the northeastern region.
The “Amra Bangali” party expressed concerns that the construction of the hotel would undermine the historical and cultural significance of the site. They urged the government to reconsider the location of the project while reaffirming their support for the state’s development and welfare. The party also criticized leaders who, despite initially opposing the project, later supported it after fulfilling personal and ADC-related interests.
