Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today announced that the state’s tourism sector is set to receive a significant boost with the establishment of a five-star heritage hotel at the historic Pushpabanta Palace.

The announcement came following the signing of a lease agreement between the Tripura government and the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), part of the renowned Taj Group.

“Whenever we travelled outside the state, we admired the grandeur of hotels run by the Taj Group and wished for something similar in Tripura. Today marks a proud and historic day, as that dream is becoming a reality,” said Dr. Saha.

He added that while a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed earlier, today's lease agreement paves the way for immediate commencement of work. 

“Though IHCL has proposed a three-year timeline, we have requested them to complete the project within two years,” the Chief Minister stated.

Built in 1917, the Pushpabanta Palace holds historical significance and was later used as the Governor’s House. “After constructing a new Governor’s House and with the formation of the BJP government, we decided to repurpose this iconic structure in a meaningful way,” Dr. Saha said.

He highlighted that the agreement is unprecedented in the country, with no other state entering into such a partnership with IHCL for a heritage property. The planned hotel will feature 100 rooms, including four exclusive palace-style suites.

“This initiative will open a new chapter in Tripura’s tourism journey. It will attract both domestic and international tourists, boosting the local economy and creating around 200 jobs for the people of the state,” he said.

The Chief Minister noted that the project involved resolving several logistical and administrative challenges, which were successfully addressed through dialogue. The state has allocated 7.78 acres of land for the development.

Retrofitting work has already begun, and the property was officially handed over to IHCL during the event.

Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, PWD Secretary Kiran Gitte, Tourism Secretary U.K. Chakma, PK Chakraborty, and senior officials from IHCL were present at the signing ceremony.