**Agartala, Oct 10:** Tripura Chief Minister **Manik Saha** on Friday inaugurated the **Rs 33.08 crore Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) College Lake Rejuvenation Project**, a flagship initiative funded by the **Asian Development Bank (ADB)** under the Agartala Smart City Mission.
Agartala Smart City Ltd CEO **Shailesh Kumar Yadav** said the project, launched in 2023, has transformed a once-degraded and crime-prone zone into a **vibrant 31-acre green public space**, now the largest of its kind in Tripura. “Earlier, anti-social activities were rampant, and even murder cases were reported near the lake. Today, it stands as a safe and family-friendly recreational hub,” Yadav said.
The rejuvenated lake area now features **seating zones, walking tracks, yoga areas, and water sports facilities**, along with **60 CCTV cameras** connected to the Integrated Command and Control Centre for round-the-clock security. Entry is regulated through valid passes, and ecological measures have been taken to attract **migratory birds** while protecting the lake’s natural resources.
Urban Development Department Secretary and Agartala Smart City Ltd Chairman **Abhishek Singh** highlighted that the complex includes a **3-km walking circuit** and over **70,000 new plants**, improving local air quality and biodiversity. He added that other Smart City projects, such as the **Haora River Front Development**, are also progressing.
**Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor Dipak Majumder** noted that 25 deserted ponds have been rejuvenated at a cost of Rs 106 crore.
Chief Minister Saha described the project as a **model of sustainable urban rejuvenation**, combining ecological preservation, recreation, and employment generation. “The MBB College Lake Project will make Agartala cleaner, greener, and more liveable,” he said.
**Tripura BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee** also attended the inauguration ceremony.
