Agartala, September 9:
Tripura stepped up its review of major transport infrastructure initiatives on Wednesday, with Transport and Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury taking stock of the progress of key projects being implemented under the Centre’s Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme.
Chowdhury chaired a high-level meeting at the state secretariat to examine the status of projects accorded priority by the Transport Department. The review focused on the pace of implementation, hurdles affecting execution and measures needed to keep the projects on schedule.
The meeting brought together senior officials from several departments, including Public Works, Transport, Rural Development, Tourism and Water Resources, reflecting the broad infrastructure and connectivity objectives associated with the SASCI-funded works.
During the review, officials placed detailed updates on the progress of the sanctioned projects before the Minister. Projects moving according to schedule were assessed alongside those facing delays, with discussions centring on administrative and implementation-related bottlenecks.
The Minister stressed that improving transport infrastructure is essential to Tripura’s broader economic and developmental goals. He said the SASCI scheme offers the state an important avenue to strengthen capital investment and accelerate work in connectivity and related infrastructure.
“These projects are not just about infrastructure; they are about strengthening the backbone of Tripura’s economy and improving the daily lives of our citizens,” Chowdhury said.
He called for stronger coordination among the departments involved and directed officials to address pending issues without unnecessary delay. The Minister also underlined the need for clear responsibility at every stage of implementation so that sanctioned projects translate into completed infrastructure within the stipulated timeframe.
The participation of multiple departments was significant as several infrastructure projects require coordination across agencies for land-related matters, construction, connectivity, water management and other associated requirements.
Officials were asked to maintain close coordination and ensure that procedural or administrative hurdles are resolved promptly. The emphasis during the meeting was on speeding up execution while maintaining accountability for the quality and timely completion of the works.
The SASCI programme is a Central government initiative aimed at supporting states through financial assistance for capital expenditure and the creation of long-term public assets. The scheme has provided Tripura with an opportunity to undertake major infrastructure projects while strengthening the state’s overall connectivity network.
For Tripura, improving transport infrastructure is particularly important for strengthening links between urban centres, rural areas and economic destinations. Better roads and allied facilities can also support tourism, trade, employment and access to essential services.
With the latest review, the state government has sought to maintain momentum on the priority projects and ensure that implementation does not lose pace because of inter-departmental or administrative delays.
The Transport Department is now expected to continue monitoring the projects closely, with greater coordination among the concerned agencies aimed at translating the sanctioned investments into completed infrastructure on the ground.
