Agartala: The Tripura government has clarified its stance on the proposal to establish a luxury hotel in Pushpabanta Palace, a royal-era heritage building revered for its architectural significance.
Tripura Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury addressed the matter on Friday, stating, “Although the heritage building was constructed by the kings of Tripura, it became a government asset under the merger agreement. The building, which formerly served as the old Raj Bhavan, is currently undergoing retrofitting works.”
While emphasizing that no final decision had been made, the Minister urged public support for the proposal, which aims to attract investment.
“The proposal is under discussion and nothing has been finalized. With due respect to the sentiments of people across all sections, I appeal to everyone to support the government’s progressive attitude toward fostering development and investment,” he said.
Justification for repurposing the Palace
Addressing concerns about preserving the cultural and historical significance of Pushpabanta Palace, the Minister explained, “There are several historical sites that are now being used for different purposes, such as marriage banquet halls. As far as I know, the merger agreement did not specify any restrictions regarding this building. For instance, the old Assembly House, which was originally the royal palace and the Maharaja’s court, has been transformed into the state museum. While the initial plan was to set up a digital museum in Pushpabanta Palace, the government decided to repurpose the building since we already have a full-fledged museum.”
Chowdhury reassured that the government’s intent was not to hurt the sentiments, culture, or traditions of any community.
Mega tourism projects underway
In addition to the Pushpabanta Palace proposal, the Tourism Minister highlighted major developments in the state’s tourism sector. He announced that the Centre had approved Rs 97.70 crore for a mega tourism project in the Bandowar area of Udaipur, located in Gomati district.
The ambitious project includes the creation of replicas of all 51 Shakti Peethas in a specially designed park to attract tourists. “The mega project will come up in Bandowar, a prominent location in the temple town of Udaipur,” Chowdhury stated.
Tripura Sundari Temple redevelopment nearing completion
The Minister also provided updates on the renovation and redevelopment of the Tripura Sundari Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. The project is in its final stages, with Rs 51 crore already allocated for the temple’s renovation. Of this, Rs 37 crore was provided by the Centre.
“The Tripura Sundari Temple is a significant spiritual site, attracting devotees year-round. The redevelopment work aims to enhance the experience for visitors and boost tourism,” the Minister added.
Expressing gratitude, Chowdhury thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha for their support. The funds for the projects were released under the Approval of Capital Expenditure under Part III of the scheme for special assistance to states for capital investment in 2024-2025.
The proposed transformation of Pushpabanta Palace and the ongoing tourism initiatives mark a significant push by the state government to boost tourism infrastructure while balancing heritage preservation.
However, public sentiment surrounding the heritage building’s future remains a key consideration as discussions progress.
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