Tripura CM applauds Centre for devpt, demands Agartala-Chittagong flight

Agartala: Tripura CM Manik Saha reiterated the demand for a direct flight between Agartala and Chittagong (Bangladesh), fast-tracking the Badarpur–Sabroom double-line railway project, and granting a 40% rebate on natural gas prices while addressing 73rd plenary session of NEC in Shillong on Thursday.He also advocated for the establishment of an IT park and urged an enhancement in funding under the ‘Pride of Hills’ scheme, suggesting an increase from Rs 3,450 crore to at least Rs 6,000 crore per annum for Tripura in presence of Union home minister Amit Shah, and DoNER minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with chief ministers and governors from northeastern states.Saha credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and Amit Shah's support in helping Tripura achieve significant socio-economic growth. He highlighted that the state's gross state domestic product has doubled over the past six years, with the per capita income now matching the national average.Tripura has also garnered over 350 national and regional accolades in the last eight years due to advancements across sectors.Pointing out the state’s progress in attracting investments, Saha shared that Tripura witnessed over Rs 30,000 crore in investments last year, with projects worth Rs 8,000 crore already underway.Under the Tripura Startup Policy 2024, more than 200 startups have received recognition. He also noted improvements in healthcare infrastructure that have reduced patient referrals outside the state by 80%. Additionally, MBBS seats have risen from 225 to 550, while postgraduate medical seats increased from 85 to 196 over four years.The CM urged National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to prioritise the construction of quality roads and to expedite four-laning stretches such as Churaibari–Mugaikami, Agartala–Udaipur, and Udaipur–Amarpur. He stressed the importance of starting direct Agartala–Chittagong flight services and operationalising Kailashahar airport under the UDAN scheme.He mentioned initiatives such as electrified passenger train services to Sabroom, the launch of Vande Bharat Express connecting Agartala and Guwahati, and the early commencement of the Badarpur–Sabroom double-line railway project. Also, pushed for setting up an AIIMS in Agartala and requested that the DoNER ministry to approve developments like an Information Technology Park and a World Skill Centre under the PM-DevINE programme.Addressing financial constraints, he proposed enhancing funding under the 'Pride of Hills' scheme, as well as increasing Tripura's ceiling for Externally Aided Projects from Rs 4,146 crore to Rs 10,000 crore. As chairman and convener of high-level task force on investment promotion in the northeast, Saha emphasized strategic opportunities in priority sectors, identified challenges, and outlined mitigation measures for economic growth across the region.He suggested positioning the northeastern region as India’s Green Industrial Hub, creating an Eastern Startup Corridor, establishing a North East Industrial Free Trade Authority, boosting cross-border cluster diplomacy, setting up a North East Skills University with multi-state campuses, and advancing tourism through community ownership and socially-conscious investments.