The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) has recommended a halt to the proposed inauguration of the redeveloped Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) College Lake—popularly known as College Tilla Lake—under the Smart City Mission, citing ongoing legal proceedings related to the project.

The recommendation follows a petition filed by the Forum for Protection of Environment and Waterbodies in connection with Case No. 98/2025. 

The Forum raised objections to the announcement made by Agartala Smart City Limited regarding the inauguration of the lake redevelopment project on August 15, 2025, despite the matter still being under consideration by the Commission.

In its order, THRC Chairperson Justice Arindam Lodh stated that the Commission had received the petition on August 5, accompanied by a newspaper clipping reporting the proposed inauguration. The complainant argued that proceeding with the event would render the Commission’s ongoing deliberations ineffective.

“The inauguration of this project will amount to a fait accompli, thereby frustrating the very purpose of the complaint. The announcement appears to be an attempt to render the ongoing proceedings infructuous,” the order reads.

Justice Lodh noted that the Commission is convinced the inauguration of the redeveloped site could adversely affect the outcome of the complaint and the larger issue under consideration.

In view of this, the Commission has issued a recommendation to key stakeholders—including the Secretaries of the Urban Development and Revenue Departments, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), the District Magistrate of West Tripura, and the CEO of Agartala Smart City Limited—to defer the inauguration or operationalization of the project until the case is resolved or further orders are issued.