Agartala: Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb said he placed a raft of Tripura-related concerns before Parliament during the most recent session, disclosing that he had submitted 57 questions and that 15 of these were accepted for response. In a press briefing on Sunday, Deb concentrated on the state’s road network, tourism plans and development assistance disbursed under central schemes.
Road repairs and a push for concrete surfacing
Deb highlighted the poor condition of several national highways in Tripura, attributing much of the damage to the 2024 floods and pointing to what he characterised as contractor negligence. He pressed the Centre to consider more durable surfacing on long-haul stretches, proposing a pilot conversion of the Udaipur–Amarpur section from bitumen to concrete to reduce long-term maintenance costs.
“The initial cost may be higher, but concrete roads will serve the people for decades,”
He said the higher up-front expenditure would be offset by lower recurring repairs, arguing that concrete pavements could offer greater resilience against extreme weather and heavy usage. Deb indicated he will press for prioritisation of pending national highway projects affecting Tripura.
Funds routed to state projects and relief
The MP gave a rundown of central assistance channels in which he has been involved. He said that during his parliamentary tenure, ₹15.76 crore from the MPLADS (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) had been used on various development works across Tripura. He also noted that 24 beneficiaries from the state received support amounting to ₹56.90 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund under his quota.
| Scheme / Proposal | Amount |
|---|---|
| MPLADS expenditure (during his tenure) | ₹15.76 crore |
| PMNRF assistance (24 beneficiaries) | ₹56.90 lakh |
| Tourism project proposals (Daityeshwari Kalibari, Belonia, Jolaibari) | ₹30 crore |
| Majlishpur (Jirania) tourism proposal | ₹140 crore |
Tourism focus beyond restoration
On heritage development, Deb emphasised that conservation should extend past mere restoration of sculptures and monuments. He singled out Unakoti and called for comprehensive amenities including boundary walls, cafeterias, sanitation facilities, enhanced connectivity and conservation infrastructure to make the site more accessible and attractive to visitors.
He also outlined tourism initiatives for religious and local attractions, naming projects worth ₹30 crore for Daityeshwari Kalibari, Belonia and Jolaibari, and a separate proposal of ₹140 crore for Majlishpur in Jirania. Deb argued that these projects could create jobs and stimulate the state’s economy.
Other issues raised in Parliament
Beyond roads and tourism, the MP said his interventions covered a range of sectors, including rail connectivity, education, fertilisers, natural gas, mineral resources and fisheries. He mentioned that he would continue to liaise with both the Centre and the state administration to expedite implementation of pending projects.
Legislation and commitments
Deb briefly referred to the legislative outcomes of the session, mentioning the passage of an amendment to the FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act). He reiterated his commitment to follow up on unfinished infrastructure schemes and tourism proposals, seeking quicker delivery of sanctioned works.
- 57 questions on Tripura filed in Parliament by Deb; 15 accepted.
- Advocated pilot concrete surfacing for Udaipur–Amarpur stretch to improve durability.
- Reported use of ₹15.76 crore from MPLADS and ₹56.90 lakh disbursed from PMNRF for Tripura beneficiaries.
Deb’s briefing framed immediate infrastructure repair and longer-term durable construction as priorities to protect public investment and reduce recurring expenditure. He placed special emphasis on linking heritage conservation with visitor amenities and connectivity to leverage tourism for local employment generation.
