In a significant boost to tribal education infrastructure in Tripura, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday virtually laid the foundation stone for nine new hostels aimed at supporting tribal students across the state. The initiative is part of the PM Janaman and Dharti Aba Janabhagidari Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan schemes.

According to a report from the Tripura government, the hostels — designed for both boys and girls — will be constructed in Bagafa and Jolaibari blocks of South Tripura district, Mohanpur in West Tripura district, and Karbook subdivision under Gomati district.

Each hostel will accommodate 50 students, with a standard construction cost of around ₹2.30 crore per unit. One of the hostels, planned at Radhanagar High School in East Tamakari ADC Village under Hejamara block (Mohanpur), will be built at a slightly higher cost of ₹2.80 crore.

Bagafa Block: Separate hostels for boys and girls at Gobindabari High School and Naraifang High School

Jolaibari Block: Two hostels at Binoy Prasad Para High School

Karbook Subdivision: Boys' and girls' hostels at PM Shri Prahlad Sardarpara High School

The main event took place at Kuaifang Community Hall in South Tripura, where Tripura’s Cooperative Minister Shuklacharan Noatia attended as chief guest. In his address, Noatia underlined the transformative role of education in tribal upliftment and reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to inclusive development.

“No society can progress without education. That is why, under the Prime Minister’s leadership, we are not only establishing new educational institutions but also ensuring that tribal students have access to safe and inclusive hostel facilities,” said Noatia.

The state government has announced that 27 tribal hostels will be built across Tripura under the PM Janaman program. Additionally, the number of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in the state has now increased to 21, reflecting the Centre’s sustained focus on tribal welfare and education.