Tripura’s digital transformation gains momentum with Airtel Data Centre, expanding IT investments, CM

Tripura has marked another significant milestone in its digital transformation journey under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha with the foundation stone laying of North East India’s largest private Data Centre by Bharti Airtel (Nxtra by Airtel) in Agartala on Thursday.

The project represents a major step towards realizing the state government’s long-term Digital Tripura vision of building a technology-driven, inclusive and innovation-led economy. Addressing the foundation stone-laying ceremony, the Chief Minister congratulated the Bharti Airtel team for initiating the project and expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of Tripura for establishing the company’s largest Data Centre in the North Eastern region.

Emphasising the importance of robust digital infrastructure, Prof. Saha said data centres form the backbone of the IT ecosystem by hosting, processing and securely storing data for government and private organisations alike. Reliable data storage, he noted, is critical to ensuring seamless citizen services and supporting the rapidly expanding digital economy.

The event was attended by Pranajit Singha Roy, Minister for Information Technology, Finance, Planning and Coordination; Kiran Gitte, Secretary, Information Technology; and Suprakash Jamatia, Director (I/C), IT. Senior executives of Bharti Airtel Limited, including Balaji R, CEO, Airtel NESA, and Simranbir Singh, CTO, Airtel NESA, were also present along with other dignitaries.

Highlighting the national context, the Chief Minister said India accounts for nearly 20 per cent of global data consumption but currently has only about 2 per cent of the world’s data storage capacity. With India’s data storage capacity projected to grow from 1.5 gigawatts to 8 gigawatts by 2030, he said the establishment of such a facility in Tripura is both timely and strategic. He added that the State’s favourable climate, surplus power availability, pollution-free environment and air connectivity make it an ideal destination for data centre investments. The presence of India’s third International Internet Gateway at Agartala further strengthens Tripura’s digital connectivity, he said.

Tripura is also emerging as an education and talent hub in the region, with seven universities, three engineering colleges, three medical colleges, six polytechnic institutions and several general and professional colleges. Coupled with the State’s first-rank position in Deregulation and Compliance Reduction 2025, these factors have made Tripura increasingly attractive to investors from across the country and abroad.

Under the project, the State Government has allotted one acre of land at Chanmari in Agartala to Bharti Airtel Limited for the Rs 200-crore Data Centre, planned with a capacity of 5 MW and an 80,000 sq ft G+3 facility. Integrated with Airtel’s extensive subsea cable and fibre network, the Agartala Data Centre will act as a digital transport hub for the North East, providing low-latency and high-capacity connectivity. The project is expected to generate 150–200 direct and indirect employment opportunities while boosting ancillary industries and the local digital economy.

The Chief Minister acknowledged the Directorate of Information Technology for its proactive role in facilitating the project through land allotment, infrastructure support and administrative coordination. He noted that Tripura’s Data Centre Policy 2021 offers one of the most competitive incentive packages in the country, including 50 per cent floor-rental reimbursement up to Rs 12 lakh per year, concessional land lease rates, power tariff of Rs 4.75 per unit, bandwidth cost subsidy up to Rs 10 lakh per annum and capital investment subsidy of up to Rs 1 crore per year.

Prof. Saha also lauded the achievements of Tripura-born entrepreneur Dr. Prasanta Sarkar, Co-founder of Newtrace, who was among five start-up founders invited to share their journeys with the Prime Minister during National Start-up Day 2026 at Bharat Mandapam. His innovation of India’s first membrane-less electrolyser, the Chief Minister said, serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs from the State.

Referring to the growing interest of Tripura’s global diaspora, the Chief Minister mentioned the recent Prabashi Tripurabashi Summit, which was attended by 86 professionals of Tripura origin from across the world. Many of them, he said, have expressed willingness to invest in the State’s IT sector. To meet the rising demand for plug-and-play infrastructure, the IT Department is also planning to set up Tripura’s second IT Park near Agartala.

In conclusion, the Chief Minister said that backed by a progressive Data Centre Policy, strategic connectivity and forward-looking digital reforms, Tripura is poised to emerge as a major Data Centre and IT hub in the North Eastern region. The establishment of Airtel’s Data Centre, along with upcoming initiatives such as the Innovation and Incubation Park and the TIDEZ Zone, underscores the Government’s strong commitment to digital transformation, investment promotion and employment generation, positioning Digital Tripura as a model for the region’s technological future.