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TRIPURA
» Area 10,491.69 sq. km	» Population 3,199,203	» Capital Agartala	» Principal Languages Bengali and Kokborak

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History and Geography

Tripura has a long historic past, a unique tribal culture and a fascinating folklore. The history of Tripura can be understood from 'Rajmala' chronicles of king Tripura and writings of other Mohammedan historians. There are references of Tripura even in Mahabharata and Puranas. According to 'Rajmala', the rulers were known by the surname 'Fa' meaning 'father'. There is a reference to rulers of Bengal helping Tripura kings in the 14th century. Kings of Tripura had to face frequent Mughal invasions with varying successes. They defeated the Mohammedan Sultans of Bengal in several battles. Nineteenth century marked the beginning of the modern era in Tripura, when king Maharaja Birchandra Kishore Manikya Bahadur modelled his administrative set-up on the British India pattern and brought in various reforms. His successors ruled Tripura till 15 October, 1949, when it merged with the Indian Union. Initially, a part 'C' state, it became a centrally administered territory with the reorganisation of states in 1956. In 1972, Tripura attained the status of a full-fledged state. Tripura is strategically situated between the river valleys of Myanmar and Bangladesh. Encircled almost on three sides by Bangladesh, it is linked with Assam and Mizoram in the North-East.

Irrigation and Power

Geographical area of Tripura is 10,49,169 hectare. It is assessed that about 2,80,000 hectares of land is cultivable. As on 31 March 2005 an area of 82,005 hectares of land has been brought under assured irrigation by providing lift irrigation, deep tube well, diversion, medium irrigation, shallow tube wells and pump sets. This is about 29.29 per cent of the cultivable land in the state. 1269 L.I. Schemes, 160 deep tube wells, 27 diversion schemes have been completed and 3 medium irrigation schemes, namely, Gumti, Khowai and Manu are providing irrigation water to the part portion of the command areas as canal system has not been completed.

The present highest peak demand of power in the State is around 162 MW Power available now from own generating stations is around 70 MW. About 50 MW power is being imported from the State's allocated share from the Central Sector power generating stations in the NE-Region. Thus, the total available power is about 120 MW, leaving a short fall of about 42 MW during peak hours. This deficit is currently being managed by shedding lead in a sequential manner for about 1(one) to 1/1-2 (one and half) hour in the evening throughout the State.

The peak demand of the State has been estimated to go up to 253 MW by 2007 by CEA in 16th Power Survey Report. It is estimated that the peak demand during 2012 will be 396 MW considering the demand arising out of Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) and industrialisation in the State.

1x21 MW GT Project at Baramura finding under NEC : Sanctioned by EFC & recommended by DONER but yet to be approved by Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India.

Another 1x21 MW G.T. set at Rokhia, West Tripura was installed on 31 March 2006.

ONGCL Power Project (110 MW): Tripura's share is 100 MW. Likely to be commissioned in 2008-09.

Transport

Roads: The total length of roads in Tripura is 15,227 km, of which major district roads constitute 454 km and other district roads are 1,538 km.

Railways: The total length of railway lines within the state extended up to Manu is 66 km. Manu-Agartala Railway line (Length-88 km) has been declared as National Project and target date has been fixed for completion of the project by March 2007.

Preliminary survey for Agartala-Sabroom rail link was done several years back. It is understood that reconnaissance engineering-cum-traffic survey for a new BG line between Agartala and Sabroom was sanctioned in 1998-99. The survey report for this new Railway line (110 km) was finalised and sent to the Railway Board in mid-2000 by NF railway authorities. Therefore, work for updating of this survey report was taken up during 2004-05 and updated survey report with cast. Estimate of Rs. 556.88 crore were sent to the Railway Board by NF railway authorities in early 2005.

In order to increase trade and commerce with Bangladesh, railway link between Agartala (a railway junction in Bangladesh) needs to be established. The distance from Agartala is roughly 13 km of which 5.40 km is within India. This link will facilitate establishing a much-needed direct railway link from Tripura to Kolkata in West Bengal for easier movement of passenger and freight.

A preliminary survey for construction of new railway line connecting Agartala to Akhaura was sanctioned by Railway Board in February 1999. Survey for Indian portion was completed and Bangladesh Railway authorities were requested by NF railway authorities to provide details of their part. But as no information from bangladesh was available, the Survey report for Indian part of Agartala-Akhaura new railway line (5.4 km) at an estimated cost of Rs. 27.27 crore was sent to the Railway Board by NF railway authorities in mid-2000. There has been no progress thereafter in this regard.

Aviation: The main Airport is at Agartala. There are airports at Kailashahar, Kamalpur and Khowai though they are not functioning at present.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has been requested to consider asking Indian Airlines and other private airlines operating in this region to operate hopping flights between Agartala and Silchar in Assam via Kailashahar and Kamalpur airport. The Ministry has now mooted the idea that the State government and NEC may sign a MoU with NEC agreeing to share the expenditure on development of development of these two airports. The State Government has expressed its inability to agree to this proposal.

Tourism

The important tourist centres are :

West-south Tripura Tourism Circuit
1. Agartala
2. Kamalsagar
3. Sepahijala
4. Neermahal
5. Udaipur
6. Pilak
7. Mahamuni
West-North Tripura Tourism Circuit
1. Agartala
2. Unokuti
3. Jampui Hil