Tripura CM Dr. Manik Saha urged the DoNER Ministry to support heli-tourism and seaplane services at Narkelkunja. He outlined key tourism initiatives, investment plans, and infrastructure upgrades during a high-level Northeast tourism task force meeting to promote Tripura as a premier travel destination.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha has urged the Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) to provide crucial support for developing new tourist facilities, including heli-tourism and seaplane services at Narkelkunja — one of the state’s most promising tourist destinations.
The appeal was made during the second high-level meeting of the Task Force constituted by the Union DoNER Ministry to accelerate tourism development across the Northeast. The meeting, chaired by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, was attended virtually by Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and other key stakeholders, including Chief Ministers and tourism officials from various Northeastern states.
Accompanied by senior state officials — Dr. P.K. Chakraborty (Secretary to CM), L.T. Darlong (Secretary, Planning), and U.K. Chakma (Secretary, Tourism) — Dr. Saha laid out a vision to position Tripura as a high-value tourism destination. Emphasizing the need for a long-term strategic roadmap, he called for identifying high-potential areas and launching projects that could attract both national and international investments.
Highlighting the necessity to revisit existing investment procedures, he also advocated for comprehensive reviews of current tourism policies, investment incentive schemes, and regulatory mechanisms to remove bottlenecks and enhance investor confidence.
A major highlight of Dr. Saha’s proposal was the inclusion of heli-tourism and seaplane services at Narkelkunja — a picturesque locale that is already drawing increasing numbers of tourists. The integration of aerial and water-based transportation is expected to greatly enhance the site’s accessibility and appeal, particularly for high-end and international tourists.
Such infrastructure upgrades could redefine Tripura’s positioning within the regional and national tourism circuit, especially by creating seamless multi-modal travel experiences.
Providing updates on Tripura’s strides since the inaugural Task Force meeting, the Chief Minister shared several key developments:
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Launch of the Homestay Policy: With 48 homestays now operational, this initiative has both bolstered rural tourism and generated employment.
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Brand Ambassador Appointment: Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly was appointed as the Brand Ambassador for Tripura Tourism, adding significant promotional clout.
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Promotional Campaigns: The state has organized various “Promo Fests” to raise awareness and attract footfall from both within India and abroad.
In an effort to improve regional accessibility, a delegation from the Airports Authority of India, led by the Regional Executive Director for the Northeast and the Director of MBB Airport, recently conducted an inspection at the Kailashahar Airport. This signals forward movement in enhancing air connectivity in Tripura, a critical factor for tourism growth.
Additionally, 29 tour operators are currently registered with the Tripura Tourism Development Corporation, strengthening the local tourism ecosystem.
In a bid to attract major investments, the state government has entered into a lease agreement with the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) to set up the Taj Pushpvant Palace Hotel in Tripura. This luxury hotel project is expected to boost high-end tourism and create direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Tripura’s tourism department is also actively participating in roadshows and investment summits across the Northeast to further pique investor interest. The state is upgrading several existing tourist lodges to meet modern standards and expectations.
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To enhance Tripura’s visibility on national and international platforms, the tourism and ICA departments are jointly working on a comprehensive calendar of events and festivals. These initiatives aim to turn the state into a vibrant cultural and tourism hub in the Northeast.
The virtual meeting also saw participation from other Northeastern leaders, including Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona and Sikkim Tourism Minister Shering T. Bhutia, reinforcing a united regional approach to tourism development.
As Tripura continues its journey towards becoming a prominent tourism destination, support from the DoNER Ministry and robust infrastructure initiatives like heli-tourism and seaplane services could pave the way for unprecedented growth in the sector.
