Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday, 14 August inaugurated six projects and laid the foundation stones for 12 others at the Dolugaon Higher Secondary School grounds in Unakoti district, northern Tripura. The 18 projects, collectively valued at ₹45.18 crore, are intended to accelerate development across one of the state's key districts ahead of Independence Day.

Scale of Development in Unakoti

Thursday's event brought the cumulative count of projects inaugurated or foundation-stone-laid in Unakoti district since 6 December 2022 to 56, with a total outlay of approximately ₹197.68 crore. CM Saha said the addition of the latest tranche would give further momentum to the district's development trajectory.

Saha underscored that the state government was according equal priority to education, healthcare, road connectivity, drinking water, electricity, agriculture, rural and urban development, information technology, sports, and social security — signalling a broad-based rather than sector-specific push.

Tourism and Heritage as Economic Drivers

A significant portion of CM Saha's address focused on positioning Unakoti — home to ancient rock-cut sculptures — as an international tourism destination. He praised the 'Clean and Green Unakoti' initiative and said the government was developing tourism infrastructure while protecting the district's historical, archaeological, and religious heritage.

'Unakoti is an important historical and tourist centre, not only for Tripura and India but also at the international level. Development of the tourism sector will help boost the local economy and create employment opportunities,' Saha said.

He also highlighted plans to develop other major destinations including Dumbur, Matabari, Neermahal, and Ujjayanta Palace, and stressed the importance of improved air connectivity for promoting tourism in Unakoti and North Tripura.

Pushpawant Palace: A Five-Star Conversion Plan

Among the more distinctive announcements, CM Saha highlighted the state government's initiative to convert the 109-year-old Pushpawant Palace into a five-star hotel. 'If this project is implemented, it will expand the tourism industry, create employment opportunities and have a positive impact on the state's economy,' he said.

The proposal, if realised, would mark one of the more ambitious heritage-tourism conversions in the northeast.

Governance Approach and Infrastructure Challenges

Invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas', CM Saha said public representatives, government employees, and the administration were functioning together as 'Team Tripura' to ensure development reached every district, subdivision, village, and remote area.

He acknowledged that rainfall had disrupted road construction and repair work in some areas, and said the concerned departments had been directed to restore damaged roads at the earliest. 'It is normal for some problems to arise when development work is underway, but the state government's goal is not to stop the work. We want to take development forward by resolving the problems,' Saha said.

On healthcare, the Chief Minister said trauma centres were being established across districts in phases, with North Tripura and Unakoti earmarked for upcoming facilities.

State Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy and Kailashahar Municipal Council Chairperson Chopla Rani Debroy were among those present at the event. With Independence Day approaching, the government's project blitz signals an intent to frame development delivery as a core political message heading into the next cycle.