Archaeological Survey of India zonal office to be established in Tripura
The Zonal office of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will be moved from Mizoram to Tripura due to the significant number of archaeological sites in the state, according to the Tourism Minister, Sushanta Chowdhury.
Chowdhury informed the state assembly that the Central government approved the relocation of Zonal office in response to requests from Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha. He credited the Chief Minister’s initiative for securing the approval of Zonal office and mentioned exchanging letters with the Central government for the relocation.
Chowdhury highlighted that sites like Unakoti, Pilak (South Tripura), and Boxanagar (Sipahijala district) are frequented by tourists. As these areas are under the strict control of ASI, the state government faces challenges in undertaking development work. Having ASI officials on-site would facilitate the endorsement process, making it more efficient.
During discussions on a Private Member Resolution, Chowdhury revealed that the Asian Development Bank has allocated a total of Rs 140 crore for the renovation and construction of tourism-related infrastructure throughout the state. He specified that tourist destinations like Unakoti, temples of 14 deities, and Kamalasagar temple will receive substantial funding.
In a separate proposal, Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman suggested establishing facilities such as a casino or pub exclusively for tourists, inspired by Sikkim’s model. However, this proposal faced immediate opposition from CPIM MLA Jitendra Choudhury.
Choudhury argued that the state government should prioritize cultural tourism over a casino, expressing concerns about potential cultural degradation. He also called for the formation of a trained tourist unit to assist and safeguard visitors.
