Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha emphasized the significant role of Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) in the state’s progress and urged the Central Government to lift the current cap on EAP borrowings in Northeastern states. Saha, speaking at a seminar in Shillong alongside Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, praised Tripura’s effective use of international funding for socio-economic development.
Over the years, Tripura has successfully leveraged partnerships with global development agencies like the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Indo-German Development Cooperation, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to advance its socio-economic status. The state’s collaboration with the Asian Development Bank has identified significant investment prospects in various sectors, including industrial infrastructure, urban development, and healthcare.
Highlighting Tripura’s economic growth, Saha revealed a nearly doubled Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) from Rs 55,984 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 1,00,795 crore in 2025-26. He also noted a substantial increase in annual capital expenditure, reaching a record Rs 10,478 crore in 2025-26, showcasing the state’s improved capacity to utilize development funds effectively.
Saha mentioned that Tripura is currently executing eight major EAPs across crucial sectors such as industrial infrastructure, urban development, tourism, and the advancement of Scheduled Tribes. He raised concerns about the funding structure, highlighting the challenges faced by states due to substantial costs like land acquisition and utility shifting, urging the Centre to reconsider the fixed caps on EAP borrowings.
