NITI Aayog Member Dr. Joram Aniya on Thursday praised Tripura’s progress in implementing development projects and assured the state of continued support from the policy think tank to accelerate growth across key sectors.
Dr. Aniya was chairing a review meeting at the Secretariat conference hall on the progress of development works being implemented through various state government departments.
The NITI Aayog member and officials met Chief Minister of Tripura Dr. Manik Saha during their visit to the state and discussed key development priorities and opportunities for collaboration between the State Government and NITI Aayog.
The discussions focused on School Education, Tourism, Sports, Innovation & Entrepreneurship/Startups, identified as key priority areas for Tripura’s development. Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening the education ecosystem through the expansion of Vidya Jyoti, Ashram and Eklavya Model Residential Schools, Smart Class initiatives, and targeted interventions to reduce school dropout rates.
The meeting also covered strategies to unlock the potential of Tripura’s Bamboo, Horticulture and Fishery sectors, strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship through collaboration with the Atal Innovation Mission, and advance connectivity and infrastructure priorities, including railway connectivity and the development of Kailashahar and Kamalpur airports.
Discussions on tourism focused on developing the Buddhist Circuit, promoting homestays, and leveraging Tripura’s cultural, spiritual and natural heritage, including the conservation and sustainable development of Unakoti.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment to Centre–State collaboration, knowledge sharing and outcome-oriented interventions to accelerate Tripura’s development and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat.
In the review meeting on Thursday, she said, Tripura’s progress in implementing development projects was “significant and commendable” among the northeastern states. She assured that NITI Aayog would work to remove various obstacles affecting the development of tourism in Unakoti and take up initiatives to further promote the sector.
Dr. Aniya also highlighted the formation of the Tripura Institute of Future Technology (TIFT), describing it as a model initiative in the Northeast. She said assistance would also be extended for setting up a gymnastics institute in the state.
She credited Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha’s efforts to effectively raise Tripura’s issues and demands at central-level NITI Aayog meetings, saying this had helped speed up the implementation of various projects in the state.
“Every possible assistance will be provided by NITI Aayog to maintain the momentum of development in Tripura,” she said, stressing the need for coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to ensure the timely and proper implementation of development programmes.
Tripura Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha urged NITI Aayog to take steps for the development and speedy repair of national highways in the state. He also sought improvements and expansion of rail, air and telecommunication connectivity.
Sinha said industrial investors had expressed interest in investing more than Rs 1 lakh crore in Tripura, making it essential to maintain high-quality road, rail, air and telecommunication infrastructure.
He also urged NITI Aayog to formulate a strong policy framework specifically for Tripura to facilitate industrial and economic growth.
During the meeting, Secretary of Good Governance, PWD and Health Kiran Gitte briefed the NITI Aayog member on various development plans being implemented with the objective of building a developed Tripura.
Education Secretary Dr. Milind Ramteke outlined the state’s existing educational infrastructure and measures being taken to improve the quality of education and prevent child marriage.
Tourism Secretary Uttam Kumar Chakma briefed the meeting on ongoing development works at tourist destinations across the state and placed several demands and proposals before NITI Aayog for accelerating the growth of the tourism sector.
Secretary of Youth Affairs and Sports Tapas Roy presented details of the state’s existing sports infrastructure, ongoing infrastructure development projects and Tripura’s achievements at national and international sporting events.
NITI Aayog Managing Director Anupam Lahiri assured the state of appropriate assistance from the organisation. He appreciated Tripura’s production of pineapple and rubber and stressed the need to promote plastic recycling industries in the state.
Lahiri also assured that NITI Aayog would extend support for initiatives aimed at establishing and expanding plastic recycling industries in Tripura. Secretaries of various state government departments attended the meeting.