Tripura: A Natural Paradise Waiting to Shine

Jayanta Debnath

October 4, 2025   

Everyone agrees- Tripura is blessed with rivers, hills, forests, and breathtaking natural beauty. Expansive reservoirs and scenic landscapes make it one of Northeast India’s hidden treasures. Yet, despite this wealth, Tripura’s tourism sector has not achieved its full potential due to gaps in planning and infrastructure.

More than 53 years after becoming a full-fledged state, Tripura still relies on central financial assistance for nearly 90 percent of its annual budget. The state’s own revenues come largely from rubber, ONGC’s gas, liquor sales, and its share of GST. In such circumstances, if tourism were developed with vision, it could have provided a strong and sustainable foundation for Tripura’s economy.

Political Narratives vs Tourism Progress:

Unfortunately, political blame games have often delayed progress. The BJP blames the Left Front for not doing enough during its decades in power, while the CPM argues that the BJP has failed to maintain even existing infrastructure in the past seven-and-a-half years. TIPRA Motha leaders have also pointed out the lack of attention to the tourism development in the ADC areas.

Caught between these exchanges, development, especially in tourism has not progressed as it should. Meanwhile, smaller states like Goa and Sikkim have earned national and international recognition through tourism, generating massive revenue. Tripura, with its natural charm, can achieve the same if efforts are focused on infrastructure and inclusivity.

Rising Tourist Numbers: A Positive Sign:

Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury have both emphasized that tourism can provide meaningful employment opportunities to the state’s youth. They note that under the BJP’s seven and a half years of governance, tourist numbers have grown. In 2024 alone, domestic tourist arrivals reached nearly 6 lakh, while foreign arrivals were around 91,000, placing Tripura just behind Sikkim in foreign tourist arrivals.

 

These figures highlight that Tripura’s natural beauty is attracting attention. However, to convert this into sustainable success, ground-level challenges need to be addressed.

Challenges at Major Tourist Spots:

Some of the most important destinations still face infrastructure bottlenecks. At Chottakhola’s India-Bangladesh Maitri Park, Udaipur’s Tripureswari Temple, Unakoti, Chabimura, and Dumboor’s Narikel Kunja, visitors encounter problems. Many sites lack quality hotels and guest houses. Pathways to boating points and ghats remain in poor condition.

For senior citizens and differently-abled visitors, accessibility is a serious issue. At Chabimura and Narikel Kunja, their entry is virtually restricted. Where small vehicles once allowed access, new iron gates have made it difficult for seniors and differently-abled people to move around freely.

The Narikel Kunja Example:

Narikel Kunja stands out as a key case. Built with government investment, it has been handed over to a private agency. While private involvement can sometimes improve efficiency, in this case services have become expensive without a matching improvement in quality. Visitors report that room rents are disproportionately high compared to the facilities provided. The concern is not private partnership itself, but the lack of transparency and regulation that ensures tourists get value for their money.

Roads: The First Requirement for Tourism:

Road connectivity remains one of the biggest hurdles for Tripura’s tourism. The Agartala Kamalpur road via Khowai, Kanchanpur to Jampui Hill,  Udaipur-Amarpur-Chabimura-Dumboor-Narikel Kunja stretch has large unfinished segments. Contractors often start work but abandon projects midway. The Ambassa-Gandachhara road expansion has dragged on for five years without completion, leaving long stretches unfit for vehicles. For tourism to flourish, quality roads, safe transport, and affordable facilities are essential.

A Positive Step at Tripureswari Temple:

One shining example of improvement is the renovation of Tripureswari Temple in Udaipur. It has been redesigned with senior citizens and differently-abled visitors in mind, creating an inclusive environment. This proves that with vision and commitment, Tripura can modernize its tourism while respecting its heritage. Similar models can be replicated across other sites.

Announcements Await Implementation:

Since 2018, the government has announced numerous tourism projects. Nearly more than a dozen new initiatives have been declared, but except for the Tripureswari Temple’s facelift, few have seen visible progress. With timely implementation, these projects could redefine tourism in Tripura.

Recommendations for Inclusive Tourism in Tripura:

To turn challenges into opportunities, the following steps are recommended: 

1. Improve road connectivity with four-lane, well-lit routes linking major tourist spots to district towns, railway stations, and MBB Airport.
2. Set clear deadlines for road and infrastructure projects, with public display boards showing project details, contractors, costs, and timelines.
3. Introduce affordable transport services including government buses, shuttle services, and online booking systems.
4. Ensure accessibility for senior citizens and differently-abled visitors with ramps, railings, lifts, wheelchairs, and smooth pathways.
5. Deploy eco-friendly vehicles such as e-rickshaws and mini electric buses at major sites like Narikel Kunja and Dumboor.
6. Create caregiver services with trained staff to assist seniors and differently-abled tourists.
7. Develop budget-friendly hotels and homestays under government or PPP models near every tourist center.
8. Maintain transparency in outsourcing of government-funded tourism infrastructure and regulate pricing to prevent exploitation.
9. Ensure quality and fair pricing of food through regular inspections of hotels, guest houses, and restaurants.
10. Strengthen safety measures, especially at eco-tourism sites where night-stays are currently unsafe.
11. Promote Tripura digitally using travel apps, websites, and campaigns offering route maps, ticket booking, and local guide services.
12. Train locals under “Atithi Devo Bhava” to create a welcoming culture for tourists, while generating employment in homestays, guiding, handicrafts, and transport.
13. Set up tourist information centers at all major sites with brochures, leaflets, and guides.
14. Develop adventure tourism such as trekking and river rafting at Rudrasagar, Chabimura, and Dumboor.
15. Encourage medical tourism by promoting Ayurvedic wellness, yoga, and treatment facilities, particularly for Bangladeshi visitors.
16. Launch cleanliness drives at all tourist spots to keep locations free of waste and ensure accountability for maintenance.

Conclusion: Tripura’s Tourism at a Turning Point

Tripura has all the ingredients to become a leading tourism state in India. Its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and unique geographic location already attract thousands of visitors. What is needed now is inclusive infrastructure, transparent management, and timely project completion.

By ensuring accessibility for senior citizens and differently-abled tourists, improving connectivity, and empowering local communities, Tripura can position itself as not just a beautiful destination, but also a model for inclusive, sustainable, and people-friendly tourism.

(Author: Jayanta Debnath, Senior Journalist and Editor of tripurainfo.com. This travel report is based on visits to Udaipur, Amarpur, Gandachhara, Dumboor, Chabimura, and Narikel Kunja.)

(Tripurainfo)

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