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 close to Rs 6 lakh crore for the Northeast over the last 12 years.

Scindia highlighted that infrastructure improvements across various sectors in the eight northeastern states have been remarkable since Narendra Modi took office as Prime Minister in 2014.

During the ceremony for the foundation stone of the ambitious Rs 450-crore Matabari Tourism Circuit in Tripura, the Union Minister stated that this project is anticipated to significantly uplift Tripura’s economy while creating considerable job opportunities.

The ceremony took place at Narkel Kunj, a well-known tourist spot in Tripura's Gomati district, with the picturesque Dumboor Lake in the backdrop.

Chief Minister Manik Saha participated in the event virtually.

With the commencement of the Matabari Tourism Circuit, the Union Minister unveiled development initiatives worth a total of Rs 750 crore for Tripura during his three-day visit to the state. This project will encompass floating jetties, eco-friendly resorts, and modern tourist amenities, providing immersive experiences that celebrate local culture, thus giving the Dumboor region a unique identity in international tourism.

Scindia projected that the Matabari Tourism Circuit is likely to create between 4,000 to 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, with around 30 percent of these opportunities aimed at women.

He emphasized that members of self-help groups (SHGs) and local youth will be actively involved in tourism-related activities. Furthermore, the project will focus not just on infrastructure but also on enhancing human resources, with plans to train tour guides at renowned institutions. Under the Prime Minister's vision of a 'Developed Northeast', 'Local to Global', and the 'Act East Policy', Tripura is being positioned as a gateway to Southeast Asia, Scindia stated.

He commended Chief Minister Saha's leadership and mentioned that effective Centre-state collaboration has propelled Tripura’s development.

The Union Minister also announced that 22 projects have been sanctioned to foster engineered bamboo cultivation in the Northeast. Dubbed 'Green Gold', this initiative aims to bolster the local economy while promoting environmentally sustainable practices.

Dumboor Lake, covering approximately 41 sq km and dotted with 48 islets amidst lush hills, offers a stunning scenic view.

The event welcomed Tripura's Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury and senior officials from the North Eastern Council (NEC) and the state government.

In his address, Scindia stated that the launch of the Matabari Tourism Circuit will further enhance the state's tourism infrastructure.

This four-day tourism circuit will feature 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 include Chabimura, an ancient rock carving site in Gomati district, often referred to as the 'Mini Amazon of India', along with Narkel Kunj situated by the expansive Dumboor Lake.

State Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury remarked that the Matabari Tourism Circuit will play a crucial role in placing Tripura on the global tourism map. He pointed out that several initiatives for beautifying and developing tourist sites like Neermahal, Sepahijala, Udaipur, Chabimura, and Dumboor have already been set in motion.

These projects are set to commence soon and are expected to be completed within a designated timeframe, generating new employment opportunities and fortifying the state's economic foundation, stated Chowdhury, who also oversees the Transport, Food, and Civil Supplies departments.

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

Earlier on Saturday, the Union Minister laid the foundation stone for an Rs 80-crore Agarwood Cluster Processing Centre at Uttar Fulbari village in North Tripura district. He explained that this initiative aims to globally promote local industries and aligns with the 'Vocal for Local' and 'One District One Product' (ODOP) policies.

On the first day of his visit, January 23, the Union Minister virtually inaugurated and laid the groundwork for eight major development initiatives totaling Rs 365 crore, including an Rs 81-crore solar microgrid project.

Scindia remarked that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ashtalakshmi' vision, the Northeast has transitioned from being merely a geographical boundary to becoming a driving force in India's growth.