Agartala, Jan 25 (NationPress) - Union Minister for the Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, announced on Saturday that the Central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has allocated nearly Rs 6 lakh crore to the Northeast over the last 12 years.

Scindia highlighted that the infrastructure development across all sectors in the Northeast, which includes eight states, has experienced remarkable growth since Modi took office in 2014.

During the ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the ambitious Rs 450-crore Matabari Tourism Circuit, the Union Minister indicated that this project is poised to significantly enhance Tripura's economy and generate considerable employment opportunities. The event took place at Narkel Kunj, a notable tourist spot located in Tripura's Gomati district, near the expansive Dumboor Lake.

Dumboor Lake spans an area of 41 sq km and features 48 islets, surrounded by hills, creating a stunning emerald green landscape.

The ceremony was attended by Tripura Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, along with senior officials from the North Eastern Council (NEC) and state government representatives.

Scindia emphasized that the launch of the Matabari Tourism Circuit would create new job opportunities and bolster the tourism infrastructure in the state.

The four-day tourism circuit will include visits to Ujjayanta Palace in Agartala, Neermahal (the water palace) in Sepahijala district, and the revered Mata Tripura Sundari Temple, after which the circuit is named.

The itinerary will also feature the ancient rock carving site of Chabimura in Gomati district, often dubbed the “Mini Amazon of India”, along with Narkel Kunj, situated along the shores of the expansive Dumboor Lake. Minister Chowdhury remarked that the Matabari Tourism Circuit will play a crucial role in elevating Tripura's profile on the global tourism map.

He mentioned that various initiatives are underway for the beautification and enhancement of tourist spots at Neermahal, Sepahijala, Udaipur, Chabimura, and Dumboor.

Work on these projects is set to commence soon and is expected to conclude within the designated timeline, leading to the creation of new jobs and fortifying the economic framework of the state, according to Chowdhury, who also oversees Transport, Food, and Civil Supplies.

On the third and final day of his Tripura visit, Scindia explored Narkel Kunj, a tourism gem developed on one of Dumboor Lake's islands, located approximately 115 km south of Agartala.

Earlier that day, the Union Minister laid the foundation for an Rs 80-crore Agarwood Cluster Processing Centre at Uttar Fulbari village in North Tripura. He stated that this initiative aims to fulfill the Prime Minister’s vision of promoting local industries on a global scale and aligns with the 'Vocal for Local' and 'One District One Product' (ODOP) initiatives.

On his first day in Tripura, January 23, the DoNER Minister virtually inaugurated and laid the groundwork for eight significant development projects with a total investment of Rs 365 crore, including an Rs 81-crore solar microgrid project.

Scindia asserted that under Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Ashtalakshmi’ vision, the Northeast has transitioned from being merely a geographical boundary to becoming a pivotal driver of India’s growth.