Agartala reaps the benefits of peace in the state

Tripura has witnessed a decline in insurgency led violence in the past few decades which has given a momentum to development work in the state.

The capital, Agartala, has also been undergoing a major transformation with the growth in business, infrastructure and other sectors.

Tripura was once reeling under the impact of insurgency which had hampered its development. However, with the gradual decline of militant activities over the last few years, the state has been making tremendous progress.

Agartala city is a proof of this change. Small and big industries, educational institutes, shopping malls, hospitals and better road connectivity - the city is witnessing a change.

Sajjad Ali, a senior journalist, said, "Now is the time for peace and we have hardly any insurgency problem across the state. Though police sometimes reports the movement of some extremist elements in North Tripura and Dhalai district, we have not heard anything about their activities. There was no attack in the past two years, no such violence. Tripura is almost a peaceful state, as far as insurgency is concerned."

Emphasis on infrastructure development has resulted in better roads, education and health care facilities, thereby improving the living conditions of the public.

With a decline in militancy, investors are also showing interest in the state and a good number of industries have come up in and around Agartala.

This has created employment scope for thousands of youth.

Additionally, the state has formulated investor-friendly policies to attract national and multinational companies.

B K Dhar, an investor, said, "Slowly a lot of industries have come up and a lot of growth is taking place in real infrastructure development, road and communication. And people have started coming because they have seen how resourceful a state Tripura is. Plus the state has given certain incentives like subsidies and other things."

Sitangshu Ranjan Dey, a local resident added, "As citizen of the capital city we are finding that the business, movement of people for their earning to the remote places is very normal now and returning back to its previous stage. As the hill and villages of Tripura are becoming normal, the flow of money in common man's pocket is increasing with increasing scopes of income."

A large number of shopping malls have mushroomed in the city and the retail sector is thriving.

The state has also taken advantage of its proximity to Bangladesh and stronger trade and cultural relations between the two sides has brought much benefit.

Monish Biswas, an importer, said, "The condition is really good now due to which a lot of construction and development work is getting done. Especially when it comes to business with Bangladesh, there has been much growth. The business was earlier not that good, but now we are doing business worth crores with Bangladesh. As a result, India's first ICP with Bangladesh was made at Agartala some time back."

The overall development and socio-economic growth in the state is a proof that peace is essential for progress and by rejecting violence, other states in the region can replicate the success story of Tripura as well.