Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region and Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia recently inaugurated development projects worth Rs 1.53 billion and laid the foundation stone for projects worth Rs 650 million in Tripura, taking the total project outlay to Rs 2.18 billion. The initiatives are aimed at strengthening road connectivity, expanding power access and supporting livelihoods in tribal and interior regions of the state. Speaking at the event in Agartala, the Union Minister said the projects form part of a wider effort to transform Tripura into a connected, competitive and sustainable state, aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the North Eastern Region. He noted that under the mandate of allocating 10 per cent of the Gross Budgetary Support of all central ministries to the region, over Rs 6.5 trillion has been invested across the eight North Eastern states over the past decade, driving infrastructure creation, economic growth and employment generation. Highlighting Tripura’s progress, the Minister said the state now has broad-gauge rail connectivity up to Sabroom, road length has expanded from 850 km to more than 1,550 km, and the Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport has been upgraded to handle around 3 million passengers annually. He added that Tripura has become power-surplus, with an installed capacity of nearly 1,000 MW, supporting households, agriculture and industry. Key projects inaugurated and launched include the 14 km Jatanbari–Mandirghat–Tirthamukh Road to improve access to villages, markets, schools and hospitals; the 8 km Gandacherra–Raishyabari–Narikel Kunja Road to connect tribal habitations with district headquarters; PMGSY road projects linking interior and hilly areas; and solar micro-grid projects under PM-DevINE to provide clean and reliable power in remote habitations. The Union Minister praised Chief Minister Manik Saha for effective Centre–State coordination, noting that joint efforts have accelerated Tripura’s transformation. He said Tripura should emerge not only as a gateway to the North East, but also as a gateway to South-East Asia, with enhanced international connectivity to boost trade and tourism. Following the inauguration, the Union Minister reviewed two PM-DevINE healthcare projects in Agartala, including the Government Dental College building and the Maternal Child Health wing at AGMC GBP Hospital. Together with ongoing initiatives in tourism, industry and social infrastructure, these projects are expected to strengthen Tripura’s strategic role in the North East and contribute to the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.