Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Agartala highlighted that for developing infrastructure in the North East, the Center had allocated ₹81,000 crore to improve rail connectivity and ₹41,000 crore for improving the road network in the region. Shah made the statement while attending the 72nd plenary session of the North East Council (NEC).

On his arrival in Tripura on December 20, Shah inaugurated the newly constructed residential complex for border security personnel at the Agartala Integrated Check Post. The event took place virtually from Siliguri, West Bengal as the Home Minister participated in the 61st Awakening Day celebrations of the Sashastra Seema Bal.

The residential facility, measuring 8,093 square feet, has been designed to house Border Security Force personnel and customs officers stationed at the Agartala Integrated Check Post. The four-storey building will accommodate 128 jawans, with separate sections for officers. The quarters aim to provide comfortable living spaces for personnel responsible for securing the international borders with Nepal and Bhutan.

Present at the ceremony were Colonel GS Sandhu, Project Director, Land Ports Authority of India; AK Sharma, BSF Inspector General for Tripura Frontier; Demean Nandi, head of Agartala ICP; and Senior Immigration Officer Leena Prasad.

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Later, Shah opened the 72nd plenary session of the NEC at Prajna Bhavan. The event was attended by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia and governors and chief ministers of the eight northeastern states. “We will have intense discussions on the future roadmap for the region and review the council’s progress for this year,” Scindia said.

The NEC, tasked with ensuring the economic and social development of the northeastern states, will focus on shaping future strategies for the region. A delegation from the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) participated in the discussions.

Shah’s visit to Tripura sparked protests due to his remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar during the winter session of Parliament. Shah was welcomed by state leaders, including Chief Minister Manik Saha, BJP MP Biplab Kumar Deb and BJP President Rajib Bhattacharya, at the Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport. After his arrival, Shah held meetings with top BJP leaders and alliance partners in Tripura, including TIPRA Motha and the Tripura Indigenous Peoples Front.

Earlier, Shah said, “The Sashastra Seema Bal has effectively curbed drug trafficking, human trafficking and other anti-national activities, especially when the borders are open.

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Besides some official engagements, Shah will lay the foundation stone of the new state headquarters of the BJP on December 23. The four-storey building will feature modern facilities, including an auditorium and meeting rooms, to strengthen the party’s organizational capabilities in Tripura.