Tripura to invest ₹500cr in tourism sector

Agartala: Tripura tourism industry is all set to get a boost with the targeted investment of at least Rs 500 crore in the next two years, Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhurysaid on Sunday.Like health and education, the Tripura govt has identified tourism as a potential investment sector for developing the state’s economy because of its unique landscape, natural beauty, flora and fauna, and climate.He stated that a few projects worth Rs 250 crore have been proposed to the ministry of tourism for funding.Around Rs 100 crore will be invested in theBanduar area of Udaipur, Gomati district, where a replica of the 51 Shaktipiths of Hindu shrines has been under construction. The state govt is also keen to popularize and expand religious tourism, and as part of the ‘Prasad’ project, the ‘Maata Tripura Sundari’ temple is being renovated, which will be inaugurated in January next year.Chowdhury added that the Unakoti Saivite site in Kailashahar is already on the short list of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for preservation as well as protection, and Rs 69 crore will be spent for the upgradation and modernization work on the famous ‘Saivite’ site which is next only to Mahabalipuram in size.In Jirania, the eastern outskirt of Agartala, a park will constructed on the lines of the famous ‘Nicco Park’ in Kolkata.The purpose is to attract tourists. Besides, all other tourist sites in Tripura, including the Narikel Kunja in Dombur, are being upgraded and modernized to attract tourists, Chowdhury said.More than 50 boats will be launched for tourists to boat in Dombur Lake, and Kashmir-like houseboats will also be launched for tourists to stay, the minister said, adding, “Additionally, helicopter service in the state is also being upgraded. The Pawan Hans helicopter, which used to fly to and from different places to Agartala has been abandoned as it was 33 years old. A tender has been floated for a new helicopter; all this will attract tourists.”We also published the following articles recently