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Tripura in the North-East Region Emerging as A Gateway for International Trade: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Agartala

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a state visit to Agartala on Sunday, i.e., the 18th of December 2022, emphasized the infrastructure development by the government in the North-East, further adding that the northeastern region through Tripura is becoming a gateway for international trade. It has also become the logistic hub of the northeast because of the developments ushered in by the double-engine governments both at the center and in the state.

PM Modi laid the groundwork for several development projects totaling over Rs. 4350 crores in Agartala. The projects that were inaugurated include Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and others. They launched the Tripura State Institute of Hotel Management at Anandanagar and the Agartala Government Dental College at the Indira Gandhi Memorial (IGM) Hospital and joined the “griha pravesh” of over two lakh beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. He further launched a project to broaden National Highway 8.

Regarding the much-anticipated new railway line between India and Bangladesh along Tripura, which is set to open in June of next year, PM Modi stated that the Agartala-Akhaura railway line would broaden the scope of trade relations. The Northeast is introducing its connectivity and relations in this way by connecting India, Myanmar, and Thailand through roadways. He said this while addressing the public at the Swami Vivekananda stadium in Agartala. The Indo-Bangla railway line would connect Akhaura in Bangladesh to an international immigration station at Nischintapura in India.

PM Modi said their focus is on the all-round development of Tripura, and the projects that are launched will give a fillip to the growth trajectory of the state. He further added that the central government has allocated thousands of crores of rupees for the development of connectivity and infrastructure. The government of Tripura, under Manik Saha (Chief Minister of Tripura), and his team members are working together for the proper implementation of these projects.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi attended the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the North-Eastern Council (NEC) in Meghalaya and laid the foundation stone of multiple projects in Shillong. During the golden jubilee celebration, he stated that the government has transitioned from “looking east” and “acting east” to “acting quickly for the northeast” and “acting first for the northeast.”

PM Modi revealed that the central government is spending Rs. 7 lakh crores on infrastructural development this year, whereas this expenditure was less than Rs. 2 lakh crore eight years ago. He further added that the states are competing with each other when it comes to the development of infrastructure. PM Modi’s visit comes ahead of Tripura’s assembly elections, which are scheduled for early next year.