Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia will visit Tripura on January 23 to review tourism projects and lay foundations for new initiatives, including the state’s first agar processing unit aimed at boosting rural economy and employment.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Wednesday announced that Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia will arrive in Tripura on January 23 for an official visit focused on reviewing ongoing tourism-related projects and initiating new development works across the state.
Addressing reporters after attending a government programme, the Chief Minister said that the DoNER Minister’s visit would primarily involve field inspections of projects currently under implementation under the tourism sector, which has been identified as a key driver of economic growth in the northeastern state.
“During his visit, the Union Minister will inspect tourism projects that are being implemented in different parts of the state. He will also lay foundation stones for a couple of new projects. The detailed information regarding these initiatives will be shared by the concerned departments separately,” Dr Saha said.
The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of the visit, stating that it reflects the Centre’s continued focus on accelerating development in the North Eastern region. He added that coordination between the central and state governments remains crucial for ensuring timely execution of infrastructure and livelihood-oriented projects.
Dr Saha also said that he had personally invited the newly appointed national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party to visit Tripura. Referring to recent organisational developments within the party, the Chief Minister explained that the BJP follows a standard three-year tenure for the election of its national president and that Nitin Nabin has been appointed to the post during the current cycle.
“I had a detailed interaction with him, during which organisational matters were discussed. Guidelines were issued to strengthen the party structure at the grassroots level,” Dr Saha said. He added that Nabin has already visited several parts of the North Eastern region as part of organisational activities and has conveyed his willingness to visit Tripura as well.
The Chief Minister stressed that the state unit of the party would continue to function strictly in accordance with the directions and guidelines issued by the national leadership.
Foundation Stone of Tripura’s First Agar Processing Unit on January 24
As part of his visit, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia is also scheduled to lay the foundation stone of Tripura’s first agar processing unit on January 24 at Bargol in the Kadamtala block of North Tripura district.
Officials said preparations are underway in full swing to ensure the smooth conduct of the foundation stone-laying ceremony and associated inspection programmes. The project site is located at the Bargol agar market area, which is considered a major hub for agar cultivation and trade in the district.
Ahead of the event, a preparatory meeting was held at the conference hall of the Kadamtala Panchayat Samiti on Wednesday. The meeting was chaired by North Tripura District Magistrate Chandni Chandran and was attended by senior district and block-level officials, elected representatives, and officers from the forest department.
Addressing the meeting, the district magistrate said that the agar processing unit, along with the development of an organised agar market, would be established at an estimated cost of around Rs 17 crore. She noted that the initiative is expected to strengthen government efforts in promoting the agar industry and contribute significantly to the economic development of North Tripura district.
According to district administration officials, the proposed unit aims to provide organised and modern processing facilities to local agar cultivators, farmers, and traders. The project is expected to improve income levels for those associated with agar cultivation and trade, while also creating new employment opportunities at the local level.
“The development of the agar processing unit will help Tripura’s traditional agar sector gain wider recognition at national and international platforms,” the district magistrate said, adding that value addition and quality control would play a crucial role in expanding market access.
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Officials further said that several state ministers and senior officers from multiple government departments are expected to attend the foundation stone-laying ceremony alongside the Union Minister. The administration has assured that all necessary arrangements are being put in place to ensure security, logistics, and crowd management during the event.
Local authorities reported growing enthusiasm among residents of the Kadamtala area, as the project is seen as a major boost to the region’s agrarian and forest-based economy. The agar processing unit is expected to mark a significant milestone in Tripura’s efforts to promote sustainable livelihoods and industrial growth in rural areas.
