*Agartala, January 29* — Tripura took a significant step forward in its digital transformation journey on Thursday as Chief Minister **Dr. Manik Saha** laid the foundation stone for **North East India’s largest private Data Centre** in Agartala. The landmark project, being set up by **Bharti Airtel** with an investment of around **₹200 crore**, marks a major milestone under the state government’s ambitious **Digital Tripura** vision.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister described the project as a direct outcome of Tripura hosting the country’s **third International Internet Gateway** and the state’s progressive **Data Centre Policy**, which he termed among the best in India. He said the state-of-the-art facility will ensure low-latency connectivity across the Northeast, strengthen the IT ecosystem and generate new employment opportunities.
Dr. Saha highlighted Tripura’s investor-friendly environment, noting that extensive reforms and pro-business policies have attracted significant investments. He pointed out that Tripura ranked **first in Deregulation and Compliance Reduction in 2025**, an achievement for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi had congratulated the state.
Emphasising the need for robust digital infrastructure, the Chief Minister said massive digitisation has been implemented across government functioning, from Cabinet-level operations to Gram Panchayats. “A Data Centre is the backbone of IT infrastructure, ensuring secure data storage and uninterrupted citizen services,” he said.
He further stated that Tripura’s favourable climate, surplus power, pollution-free environment and air connectivity make it an ideal destination for Data Centres, which would also boost employment and strengthen the state’s GSDP — currently the second highest in the Northeast.
IT, Finance, Planning and Coordination Minister **Pranajit Singha Roy** said the Data Centre is expected to become operational within two years and will generate **150–200 direct jobs**. Built on one acre of land at **Chanmari, Agartala**, the facility will have a **5 MW capacity** with an **80,000 sq. ft. G+3 structure**.
Integrated with Airtel’s fibre and subsea network, the Data Centre will function as a digital transport hub for the Northeast. With growing interest from other major investors and plans for an Innovation and Incubation Lab and the proposed **Tripura IT & Data Ecosystem Zone (TIDEZ)**, Tripura is poised to emerge as a leading IT and Data Centre hub in the region.
