Tripura MLAs recently inspected public libraries in West Tripura, Gomati, and Sepahijala, uncovering alarming neglect at Melaghar Public Library. The visit aims to revive dying institutions, reclaim encroached land, and propose relocation and cultural integration. This marks the first legislative review of the Melaghar library in decades.
In a initiative aimed at reviving the state’s public knowledge infrastructure, a delegation of four Members of the Tripura Legislative Assembly (MLAs) recently undertook a thorough on-ground inspection of public libraries in West Tripura, Gomati, and Sepahijala districts. The visit was part of a special legislative program titled “Spot Study Visit to See the Present Status of Various Public Libraries” under the aegis of the Tripura Legislative Assembly.
The delegation included MLAs Nayan Sarkar, Ramu Das, Manab Debbarma, and Swapna Debbarma. Their objective was to assess the operational condition, accessibility, and infrastructural integrity of libraries functioning under the State Higher Education Department and to provide development-related recommendations to the government.
The inspection began at the public library in Khumulwng, the administrative headquarters of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). The team then proceeded to Nazrul Granthagar in Udaipur, before continuing to libraries in Kakraban, Melaghar, and Bishalgarh. The tour concluded in Agartala.
However, the inspection of the Melaghar Public Library stood out for all the wrong reasons. Once regarded as a serene intellectual hub set near a solitary Kali temple, the library is now in a state of near collapse. According to the visiting MLAs, the facility has been suffering from decades of administrative apathy and infrastructural decay.
Most notably, the land surrounding the library—originally open and government-owned—has been encroached upon by various religious institutions over time. The legislators expressed serious concern about the prolonged inattention to the library’s condition, stating that no major renovation or infrastructure development has occurred in nearly 40 years.
The library currently operates with only one Grade-IV staff member, lacking a full-time librarian or any support personnel. Its collection of books has dwindled drastically, and the number of daily visitors has dropped to almost zero. The building’s physical condition is symbolic of a once-thriving public institution on the verge of extinction.
In light of the findings, the MLAs discussed the Melaghar library’s situation with local administrative officers who accompanied the delegation. They proposed conducting a detailed land survey to determine the remaining extent of the original public land and assess the feasibility of reclaiming it through appropriate administrative measures.
Local residents, too, have long demanded action. Community members pointed out that an alternative site could be established behind the office of the local Deputy Magistrate and Collector, located directly across from the current library site. The proposal to relocate the library has gained traction over the years but has yet to receive any formal backing.
In addition, there is a neglected cultural hall near the existing library premises. Once a thriving center for music, theatre, and community gatherings, the hall now lies unused. Cultural enthusiasts in the region are urging the government to integrate this facility with the library, transforming the space into a combined hub for reading, music, and artistic activities aimed at engaging the local youth.
This inspection marks the first known official visit by any legislative team to the Melaghar Public Library in the last four to five decades, a fact that resonated strongly with local educators and cultural workers. The move is being hailed as a historic and commendable step towards rekindling public interest in reading and preserving community-oriented learning spaces.
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The MLAs are expected to present a report of their findings and recommendations to the state government soon. The outcome could shape the future of library development policy across Tripura, especially in semi-urban and rural regions.
