The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sanctioned a Rs 9.75 billion loan for infrastructure development in nine industrial zones in Tripura, announced TIDC Chairman Nabadal Banik.

Projects include industrial sheds, power substations, fire stations, and 34 roads. New zones at Santirbazar and Fatikroy are being developed, with demarcation already underway.

TIDC has reclaimed 28 acres from dormant units to encourage active entrepreneurship. Banik added that the corporation is promoting rubber wood-based plywood manufacturing, with seven new units in the pipeline.

Tripura has over 1.1 lakh hectares of rubber plantations, of which 10,000 hectares are senile — providing raw material for this new industry thrust.