Tripura’s first Tea Auction Centre at Gurkhabasti will open by April, boosting tea growers, strengthening local markets, enhancing GST revenue, and positioning the state among India’s leading tea auction hubs with competitive subsidies and infrastructure.
In a landmark development for the northeastern tea industry, Tripura is set to inaugurate its first-ever Tea Auction Centre at Gurkhabasti by April, marking a decisive step toward strengthening its agricultural economy and empowering thousands of tea growers. The project, initiated under the leadership of Chief Minister Manik Saha, is expected to elevate the state’s position in India’s tea trade landscape.
The foundation stone for the auction centre was laid in March last year, reflecting the government’s long-term vision to create a self-reliant tea marketing ecosystem within the state. Once operational, Tripura will join an elite group of eight Indian states that host dedicated tea auction hubs, reducing its dependence on external markets.
According to Tripura Tea Development Corporation (TTDC) Chairman Samir Ranjan Ghosh, preparations are in the final phase. Authorities are working diligently to ensure that the facility becomes functional within the targeted timeline. The centre is expected to provide a major logistical and financial advantage to local growers who, for decades, have been compelled to transport their produce to auction centres in Guwahati and Kolkata.
To make the Gurkhabasti auction hub competitive and attractive to national buyers, TTDC has announced a subsidy of Rs 4 per kilogram to offset transportation costs. This strategic move aims to neutralize logistical disadvantages and encourage traders to participate actively in Tripura-based auctions.
For years, tea producers in Tripura have faced high transportation expenses and limited bargaining power, often resulting in lower price realization. The absence of a local auction mechanism meant that Tripura’s tea rarely received priority in external markets. Industry stakeholders believe that the new centre will significantly enhance price discovery, improve market access, and strengthen brand recognition for Tripura tea.
The economic implications of the project extend beyond growers. Once the auction centre becomes operational, Tripura will be reclassified as a tea-consuming state. This reclassification will enable the state government to collect Goods and Services Tax (GST) on local tea transactions, thereby plugging revenue leakages that previously occurred when auctions were conducted outside the state. Officials estimate that this shift will contribute substantially to the state’s fiscal health.
Currently, Tripura has 54 tea estates producing approximately 90 lakh kilograms annually. The tea industry supports more than 30,000 livelihoods directly, making it one of the state’s most vital agricultural sectors. With the new auction centre, growers are expected to gain improved price transparency, faster payment cycles, and enhanced negotiation leverage.
Experts view the Gurkhabasti Tea Auction Centre as a transformative infrastructure initiative that will not only modernize the marketing framework but also stimulate rural economic growth. By creating a localized trading ecosystem, Tripura is positioning itself as an emerging force in India’s competitive tea industry.
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As April approaches, anticipation is high among growers, traders, and policymakers alike. The launch of the state’s first Tea Auction Centre is widely regarded as a turning point — one that promises economic empowerment, fiscal gains, and renewed confidence in Tripura’s tea sector.
