NewKerala.com

Key Points

Tripura’s historic Pushpabanta Palace will be transformed into a Taj luxury hotel under a PPP model. CM Manik Saha attended the lease signing with IHCL, calling it a tourism milestone. The 1917 royal estate will feature 100 rooms, banquet halls, and restored heritage spaces. The project advances Tripura’s industrial and tourism goals while creating local jobs.

Key Points: Tripura CM Saha Launches Taj Palace Hotel at Pushpabanta Heritage Site

  • Pushpabanta Palace to house 100-room Taj luxury hotel
  • IHCL to restore 1917 royal heritage structure
  • Project aligns with Tripura’s UNNATI 2024 scheme
  • Local hiring prioritized for hospitality jobs
2 min read

Tripura's Pushpabanta palace to be developed as luxury hotel, CM Saha attends lease signing agreement

Tripura partners with IHCL to convert historic Pushpabanta Palace into a luxury Taj Hotel, boosting heritage tourism under CM Manik Saha’s leadership.

"This project is a milestone in Tripura’s journey towards becoming a premium tourist destination. – CM Manik Saha"

Agartala, May 20

In a move to boost tourism and preserve Tripura's heritage, the Government of Tripura on Tuesday signed a lease agreement with The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) for the development of a luxury Taj Palace Hotel at the Pushpabanta Palace in Agartala.

The ceremony was held in the presence of Chief Minister Manik Saha and Sushanta Choudhury, Minister of Tourism.

Speaking at the event, CM Manik Saha said, "This project is a milestone in Tripura's journey towards becoming a premium tourist destination. The partnership with IHCL will bring international standards of hospitality while preserving our rich heritage."

The Pushpabanta Palace, built in 1917 by Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya Deb Barman Bahadur, is a celebrated architectural landmark in Agartala. Once the Governor's House, the palace is now set to be transformed into a world-class luxury destination under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, aligning with the Tripura Industrial Investment Promotion Incentive Scheme, 2022 (TIIPIS) and UNNATI 2024.

The project was initiated following IHCL's proposal dated October 7, 2024, for converting the historic property into a Taj Palace Hotel. The Cabinet gave its nod on March 10, 2025, and a Memorandum of Understanding was executed on March 14, 2025.

IHCL will develop a 100-room luxury hotel with signature suites, banquet halls, wellness and fitness centres, and leisure facilities. The heritage building will be carefully restored for public use and hospitality reception areas.

A 600 sqm convention hall will be redesigned with modern amenities, including breakout rooms, banquet kitchens, and pre-function areas. IHCL has committed to prioritising recruitment from Tripura for hotel staff, promoting local employment and skill development.

Guests and residents will be able to experience the grandeur of the erstwhile royal estate. Select privileges under the Tripura Merger Agreement of 1949 will also be extended to the Government of Tripura, including limited complimentary stays.

This agreement not only marks a new chapter in heritage tourism for Tripura but also signals the government's proactive approach to inviting world-class investment under its flagship industrial and tourism development schemes.

The restoration and development work will commence soon, with the proposed Taj Pushpabanta Palace expected to become a jewel in Tripura's tourism crown.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This is fantastic news! Tripura has so much untapped potential for heritage tourism. Converting royal palaces into luxury hotels while preserving their history is a win-win. Hope they maintain the original architecture - that's what will attract tourists like me! 🇮🇳✨
P
Priya M.
While I appreciate the tourism boost, I hope they don't commercialize the palace too much. These heritage sites carry our history - the restoration must be done carefully by experts. Also good to hear about local employment opportunities!
A
Arjun S.
Finally! Northeast India deserves world-class tourism infrastructure. This Taj project will put Tripura on the international travel map. Can't wait to visit - the palace looks stunning in pictures. Hope they keep the room rates reasonable for Indian tourists though.
S
Sunita R.
As someone from Tripura, I'm so proud! 😊 Our state has such rich history that many Indians don't know about. This project will create jobs and show the world our culture. Just hope the local artisans get involved in the restoration work too.
V
Vikram J.
Good initiative but the government should ensure transparency in this PPP deal. Heritage properties are national treasures - we need details about how much public money is involved and what safeguards are in place for the palace's preservation.
N
Neha P.
What a brilliant way to showcase Tripura's royal legacy! The Taj group does excellent heritage properties. This will definitely make Agartala a must-visit destination. Maybe next they can do something similar with Ujjayanta Palace?

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50