AGARTALA, JAN 24: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s strategic three-day visit to Tripura delivered a comprehensive development roadmap worth Rs 664 crore, focusing on transforming the state’s infrastructure backbone through 8 road connectivity projects, establishing India’s agarwood sector as a global brand through an Rs 80 crore value chain scheme, and powering remote tribal areas with renewable energy, while positioning Tripura as the centerpiece of the central government’s Rs 6.5 lakh crore investment in the Northeast region over the past 12 years.
The Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region and Communications, accompanied by Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, inaugurated 5 completed projects worth Rs 270 crore and laid foundation stones for 9 new initiatives valued at Rs 394 crore during his visit from Thursday to Saturday.
According to the Union Minister, “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Ashtalakshmi’ vision, the Northeast is no longer merely a geographical frontier, but is playing the role of an engine of India’s growth.”
Road infrastructure and clean energy push
The visit commenced on Thursday with the inauguration of critical road infrastructure including the Jatanbari-Mandirghat via Tirathmukh Road measuring 13.775 km worth Rs 50.79 crore and the Gandacherra-Raishyabari-Narikel Kunja Road covering 8 km valued at Rs 21.82 crore. Moreover, a Solar Microgrid project worth Rs 81.02 crore implemented under the PM-DevINE framework was inaugurated to provide clean electricity in remote terrains.
Meanwhile, foundation stones were laid for the Kowaifung to Karbook Road measuring 9.10 km worth Rs 30.72 crore, the Jampui Hill Road valued at Rs 21.54 crore, and a Veterinary Clinical Complex costing Rs 13 crore to strengthen animal healthcare infrastructure and support farmers’ livelihoods.
Agarwood value chain scheme targets Rs 2,000 Cr market
The highlight of the visit came on Saturday when Minister Scindia laid the foundation stone for the Rs 80 crore Agarwood Value Chain Development Scheme at North Fulkabari. The scheme will establish 2 Central Processing Centres, one in Golaghat, Assam, and another in Tripura, enabling comprehensive processing, branding, and marketing while eliminating middlemen.
The Union Minister stated that India currently has around 150 million agarwood trees, with nearly 90 percent located in the northeastern states. He expressed confidence that within the next 3 to 4 years, Tripura’s agarwood market alone can develop an annual turnover potential of Rs 2,000 crore. It is learned that export quotas have been increased six-fold, with agarwood chips exports raised from 25,000 kg to 1.5 lakh kg and agarwood oil exports from 1,500 kg to 7,500 kg.
Comprehensive development vision
The Union Minister noted that every central ministry is spending 10 percent of its budget in the northeastern states, due to which the region is moving on an unprecedented path of development. Commending the leadership of Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, he said that strong Centre-State coordination has enabled Tripura to set new benchmarks in infrastructure creation and inclusive growth. He will conclude his visit on Sunday by laying the foundation stone for the Rs 280 crore Matabari Tourism Circuit.