Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan virtually laid the foundation stone for nine new tribal hostels across Tripura on Monday. These hostels, funded under the PM Janaman and Dharti Aba Janabhagidari Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan schemes, are part of a broader effort to ensure educational equity and strengthen inclusive development in the Northeast.The state government has confirmed that these new hostels—designed for both boys and girls—will be built in key tribal-dominated areas, including Bagafa and Jolaibari blocks in South Tripura, Mohanpur in West Tripura, and Karbook subdivision in Gomati District. Each hostel will house 50 students and is estimated to cost ₹2.30 crore, while a special facility in Radhanagar High School, under Hejamara block, will receive ₹2.80 crore in funding.
Tripura Cooperative Minister Shuklacharan Noatia, who attended the central event held at Kuaifang Community Hall in South Tripura, lauded the initiative as a milestone for tribal youth empowerment. “No society can move forward without education. These hostels will provide students not just shelter, but a secure and inclusive environment to grow academically,” he said.According to official plans, hostels in the Bagafa block will be constructed at Gobindabari High School and Naraifang High School. In Jolaibari block, facilities will come up at Binoy Prasad Para High School. In the Karbook subdivision, both boys’ and girls’ hostels will be established at PM Shri Prahlad Sardarpara High School.
Tripura is expected to get a total of 27 hostels under the PM Janaman initiative, showcasing the Centre’s broader push for educational development among tribal populations. The number of Eklavya Model Residential Schools in the state has also risen to 21, further emphasizing this focus.District and education officials, including Ashok Mog, Chairman of Jolaibari BAC; Mohammad Sajjat P, DM of South Tripura; Dilip Debbarma, District Education Officer; and Tapas Dutta, Chairman of Jolaibari Panchayat Samiti, were also present at the ceremony.
