Synopsis
The Tripura government has signed a deal with IHCL to transform the historic Pushpabanta Palace into a luxury hotel, despite protests from allies and the opposition. This significant investment aims to boost tourism while preserving the royal heritage of the site.Key Takeaways
- Pushpabanta Palace will be converted into a luxury hotel.
- Rs 250 crore investment planned for the project.
- Project aims to enhance local tourism and culture.
- Protests by Tipra Motha Party and Congress against privatization.
- Historical significance of the palace emphasized by local leaders.
Agartala, March 14 (NationPress) In spite of strong opposition from the ruling BJP's ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and the Opposition, the Tripura government has finalized a deal with Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (IHCL) to transform the 108-year-old Pushpabanta Palace in Agartala into a luxury 5-star hotel.
The Pushpabanta Palace, also referred to as Kunjaban Palace, was constructed in 1917 by the then Tripura king Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya Debbarma Bahadur and functioned as the Raj Bhavan until 2018, when the Governor’s residence was relocated to the Capital Complex on the city’s outskirts.
During the signing event, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha remarked that this initiative marks a pivotal move to enhance tourism in Tripura.
In a post on X, he expressed, “I am pleased to witness the signing of the MoU between the Government of Tripura and Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (IHCL) for the development of Taj Pushpavanta Palace Hotel. This top-tier 5-star hotel, featuring four exclusive rooms and elements of the royal era, will be a landmark in the state’s history, allowing global visitors to learn more about the Maharajas of Tripura.”
According to officials, IHCL, the largest hospitality firm in South Asia and part of the Tata group, aims to create a world-class palace hotel named Taj Pushpabanta Palace with approximately 100 rooms under the prestigious 'Taj Palace brand.'
About Rs 250 crore is set to be invested within the existing 7.78 acres of the Pushpabanta Palace, with IHCL proposing to invest this amount in phases over the next three years, pending necessary approvals from relevant authorities.
The restoration of the heritage structure will serve as a reception area and public space, while IHCL will also construct additional facilities outside the heritage building at their expense.
Most accommodations will be situated outside the heritage building, with a few exclusive suites located within the palace to enhance the royal experience, as noted by officials.
This proposal is expected to bring significant benefits to the state through investment, tourism growth, promotion of local culture, and the creation of direct and indirect job opportunities across various sectors, including tourism, construction, food and beverage, raw material supply, and retail.
Since last year, various factions of the ruling BJP's ally TMP have organized several large-scale protests against the Tripura government’s decision to privatize the iconic Pushpabanta Palace and convert it into a luxury hotel.
Senior TMP figure and Chairman of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) Jagadhish Debbarma remarked that the historic 108-year-old palace holds significance not just for the tribal community but for all residents of the state.
“We support Tripura's development and tourism growth, but not at the expense of the state’s historical assets,” the tribal leader asserted.
He emphasized that the Pushpabanta Palace is a treasured property belonging to the people of Tripura, and the government should not transfer historical sites to private entities for commercial purposes.
The Opposition Congress has also voiced strong objections to the state government's plan. Congress spokesperson Prabir Chakraborty recalled that during his visit to Tripura in 1926, Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore stayed at this royal residence and composed numerous songs on its veranda. He noted that the then king Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur celebrated Tagore's 80th birthday at the palace in 1941.
Post-Independence, Maharani Kanchan Prabha Devi transferred the palace to the state government in 1949. Chakraborty mentioned that after President Murmu laid the foundation stone for the Pushpabanta Palace Museum during her visit to Tripura in October 2022, the government allocated Rs 40 crore for the museum project.
“The BJP government is attempting to undermine the rich culture, traditions, and history of Tripura by converting this iconic palace into a commercial enterprise,” the Congress spokesperson concluded.
