AGARTALA: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday formally laid the foundation stone to redevelop the historic Pushpabanta Palace into a luxury five-star heritage property, named the Taj Pushpabanta Palace Hotel. The landmark project, valued at an estimated ₹250 crore, aims to significantly boost luxury tourism in Tripura while preserving its rich royal legacy.
The high-profile ceremony was attended by Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, several state cabinet ministers, and Tipra Motha Party founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma.
The mega redevelopment is being executed through a collaborative agreement between the Government of Tripura and the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), the hospitality arm of the Tata Group. Built originally in 1917 by Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya, the iconic palace served as the state’s Raj Bhavan until 2018. It also famously hosted Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore during his final visit to the state.
The transformation project will construct 104 luxury rooms, including four exclusive royal suites designed to reflect the traditional aesthetics of the erstwhile Manikya dynasty. Slated to open by October 2028, the luxury property is expected to put Agartala prominently on the global heritage tourism map.