AGARTALA, September 28 (TIWN): The state Tourism Department has set a target to complete all ongoing projects of the state by November this year, Tourism Minister Ratan Bhowmik said. Speaking to reporters here today, Bhowmik said that the major ongoing projects of the state involve preparations for ‘Destination Banabithi’, a concept package centering an upcoming tourist lodge at Khowai district and ongoing development works at Chabimura in Devatamura range. Chabimura, around 7 Km from Amarupur township in Gomati district, is currently undergoing site development under the initiatives of the Department of Tourism. An interpretation centre is expected to be set up at Chabimura where information on the historical site would be available, Tourism Minister Bhowmik said adding that an estimated fund of Rs. 2.67 crore was earlier earmarked for the project. Rs. 1.33 crore out of the amount was already spent for site development till date, he added.

Meanwhile, work for retrofitting of Neermahal is well in progress. The minister further said that authorities found work progress well beyond target in a recent assessment. He said that the project for repairing and making Neermahal earthquake resistant is expected to be completed within the estimated target of May, 2015.

A 7 Km ring-road is being constructed around Lake Rudrasagar, the water body encircling the water palace. The road would add to the existing communication infrastructure in the area, adding to facilities to attract tourists at Neermahal.

Neermahal was built by Maharaj Bir Bikram Manikya Bahadur in 1930. Located at Melagarh, some 53 km away from Agartala, it is the second of its type in the country after Jalmahal in Rajasthan.

Tripura earlier retrofitted the Ujjayanta Palace at Agartala as a part of its continued effort to conserve historical monuments of the state.

Referring to statistical records, the minister said that the state had nearly double inbound tourists in 2013-2014 compared to the previous year. 7,817 foreign tourists visited the state in 2012-2013. The figures rose to 15,376 in the last financial year.

The state, however, failed to register significant growth in domestic tourist sector as the figures of domestic tourists visiting Tripura in the last financial year was 3,59,995, barely 1,370 above the previous financial year.