Tripura 7 March, 2025: A regional office of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) will soon be established in Tripura. This announcement was made by Sushanta Chowdhury, Minister of Food, Tourism, and Transport, during a press conference held at the Secretariat yesterday. The minister recently visited Delhi, where he met with Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi (Food, Public Distribution, and Consumer Affairs), Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (Tourism), Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways), and Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu (Civil Aviation) to discuss various issues concerning the state’s interests and presented several demands.
Food Distribution and Ration Dealer Commission
During the press conference, Minister Chowdhury stated that he informed Union Minister Pralhad Joshi about the pending allocation of ₹53.17 crore from the central government towards commission payments for state ration shop dealers under the National Food Security Act and the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana since the 2021-22 fiscal year. The central minister assured that the funds would be released soon. He further mentioned that 69% of beneficiaries in the state have already completed their e-KYC verification for ration distribution. Currently, ration dealers receive a commission of ₹143 per quintal, shared between the central and state governments at a 75:25 ratio. The central government has approved an increase in this commission to ₹180 per quintal, which will be implemented once electronic weighing machines are integrated with the ePoS system in ration shops.
Tourism Development Projects
During his meeting with Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister Chowdhury proposed a ₹70 crore project to enhance tourism at Jampui Hills. Additionally, he sought ₹50 crore for the development of the Tripura Heritage Village and Music Experience project in Sachindranagar, Jirania, and ₹30 crore for the Mystic Plantation Retreat project in Laxmilunga, Agartala. The Union minister responded positively and assured prompt action on these requests.
For religious tourism, Minister Chowdhury highlighted the ₹97.7 crore project to construct an “Ekannashakti Peeth” at Banduar, Udaipur. So far, the central government has allocated ₹67 crore for the project.
Railway and Transport Infrastructure
During his meeting with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Transport Minister raised several demands, including: • Introduction of Vande Bharat Express between Guwahati and Agartala. • Conversion of single railway lines into double tracks. • Electrification of the Badarpur-Agartala railway route and the introduction of electric passenger trains. • Launching intercity rail services between Agartala and Guwahati. • New express train services between Agartala and Jammu, Puri, and Gaya. • Expedited construction of a railway line to the fuel storage depot in Sekerkote. • Improving cleanliness in all local and express trains running in the state. • Upgrading Agartala railway station to world-class standards. • Adding stoppages for the Kanchanjungha Express at Bilonia, Teliamura, and Manu railway stations.
The Union Railway Minister assured that necessary actions would be taken soon regarding these proposals.
Aviation and Air Connectivity
Minister Chowdhury also met with Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu to discuss improving air connectivity in Tripura. Key demands included: • Introduction of international flight services from Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, Agartala. • Establishing immigration services at the airport. • Increasing the frequency of flights on the Agartala-Delhi route. • Introducing a direct flight between Agartala and Mumbai. • Ensuring affordable airfares for passengers on various routes from Agartala. The Union Minister also assured that steps would be taken to operationalize Kailashahar Airport.
Officials Present at the Press Conference
The press conference was attended by Transport Department Secretary C.K. Jamatia, Tourism Secretary U.K. Chakma, Special Secretary of the Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department Debapriya Bardhan, Director of the Food Department Sumit Lodh, and Additional Secretary of the Transport Department Subrata Chowdhury.
