In order to boost up tourism with generation of more employment opportunities, the state government has taken multiple steps to improve the tourism sector with sustainable plans.

While, addressing a press conference here at Civil Secretariat on Tuesday afternoon, Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury accompanied by top authorities of the department said that to attract the adventure tourism in hot tourism spots including Jampui Hills, Dumboor lake and in Chabimura , the department has taken various initiative including  para-motoring, paragliding, hot-air balloon, rock climbing, rappelling, Burma bridge and water spots etc.

Chowdhury highlighting the achievements of the Tourism department said that the state government is working round the clock to make the tourism industry an alternative source of income in the state.

He said that to attack the tourists around the world, many multi-dimensional plans have been taken with financial support of the Union government.

Under ‘Swadesh Darshan’ scheme, the developmental works under phase one for Agartala, Sepahijala, Melaghar, Udaipru, Amarpur, Mandir Ghat, Thirthamukh, Narikelkunja, Dumboor, Ambassa and Baramura etc 11 projects are in final stage, said Chowdhury and added that the Tourism Ministry of the Union government have already sanctioned 82.84 crore and department have spend major parts of the sanctioned about with 97 % progress in works.

He said that under second phase of ‘Swadesh Darshan’ scheme, Tourism minister has also sanctioned an amount of Rs. 50.38 crore for construction of waterfalls in Surma Cherra of Kamalpur Chottakhola Maitri park, Neermahal, Boxanagar, Jampui Hills etc.

An initiative under ‘Prasad’ scheme has been taken to place the Mata Tripura Sundari temple in Udaipur in the map of world tourism through multiple projects by developing the entire temple complex into a religious tourism hub, said Chowdhury and added that so far union government has sanctioned Rs. 37.80 crore under Prasad scheme.

In order to ensure comfortable stay in tourist spots, the department will construct 49 more log huts and 3 in Ambassa, 5 in Baramura Eco park, 5 in Sepahijala zoo, 3 in Tepania Eco park 15 in Narikel Kunja are already rendering services to the tourists, said Chowdhur and added that the construction of 8 more log huts in Narikel Kunja and 10 in Chabimura are in final stage.

To attract the tourists through water tourism, the department has deported 20 seater speed boats in various tourist destinations including 8 in Chabimura, 2 in Maharani, 4 in Dumboor lake .

The minister also said that for smooth travelling of tourists, a helipad has been constructed at Narikel Kunja and package tour facilities have also been introduced under ‘Tripura Hawai Safar’.

To provide more opportunities to the state’s students in tourism, hospitality and hotel management and catering technology,  the State Institute of Hotel Management has started its academic year at Anandanagar area, at the outskirts of Agartala.

The minister also said that Puspavanta palace and Durbar hall will be developed as Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya Museum and Cultural centre with a cost of Rs. 40.13 crore and till now the union government has already sanctioned Rs. 10 crore for this project.

Meanwhile, for overall development of the state's tourism sector, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to loan an amount of Rs. 180 crore to the state government. During the press meet, secretary of Tourism department Uttam Kumar Chakma and director Tapan Das were also present.