Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Tuesday evening inaugurated the Haora Riverfront Development Project, developed along the banks of the Haora River near Battala area, describing it as another major milestone in the transformation of Agartala into a green, clean, modern and liveable city.
Addressing the inaugural programme, the Chief Minister said the riverfront project has transformed an area that was once used as a dumping ground for waste and garbage into a clean, attractive and citizen-friendly public space. He noted that the Haora River has long been an integral part of Agartala’s history, culture and civic life, and that the project has been designed to blend nature, recreation, fitness, culture and urban living.
Recalling that Agartala was selected under the Smart City Mission in 2015, Dr Saha said several initiatives have since been undertaken to strengthen the city’s urban infrastructure. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for including Agartala in the Smart City Mission and supporting the vision of modern urban development.
Before the inauguration, the Chief Minister inspected the newly developed riverfront and reviewed the infrastructure, civic amenities, riverbank protection and beautification works. Officials briefed him on various aspects of the project, including the development of a nearly 1,700-metre stretch from Steel Bridge to Dashamighat as a modern riverfront. Modern engineering technologies such as gabion walls, micro-piles, geotextiles and toe walls have been used to strengthen the riverbanks. The project has been completed at an estimated cost of around Rs 96 crore and includes a five-year annual maintenance contract.
The riverfront offers a wide range of recreational and public facilities, including walking paths, a cycling lane, viewing decks, an elevated walkway, an open gym, a yoga space and a zipline. It also features a children's playground, bird aviary, nature trail, food plaza and an art and craft village. CCTV surveillance has been installed throughout the area, with monitoring through the City Command and Control Centre. The facility will remain open to the public daily from morning until 9 PM.
Highlighting the environmental significance of the project, Dr Saha said conservation of the Haora River and its banks has been given top priority alongside measures to prevent erosion and water logging. He expressed hope that the riverfront would promote sports, health, recreation and social harmony while encouraging citizens to adopt a healthier lifestyle. He also urged residents to keep the area clean and minimize the use of plastic, stressing that collective efforts are essential to realize the vision of a developed Tripura and Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Speaking on the occasion, Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumder said the Haora Riverfront is not merely a beautification project but a significant initiative aimed at conserving the river while creating a vibrant public space for residents. He said the project was implemented under the supervision of Agartala Smart City Limited with support from both the Central and State governments. He also highlighted the rehabilitation of 37 riverbank families at Radhanagar, including permanent housing, relocation assistance and livelihood support.
A documentary on the project was screened during the programme, and the Chief Minister, along with other dignitaries, visited a blood donation camp organized by workers associated with the project. Urban Development Department Secretary Dr. Milind Ramteke delivered the welcome address. MLA Mina Rani Sarkar, AMC Deputy Mayor Manika Das Datta, Chief Minister’s Secretary Kiran Gitte, AMC Commissioner Saju Vaheed A, Agartala Smart City Limited CEO G. Nayak and other senior officials were also present.