Agartala: Logistics constraints continue to be a major hurdle in attracting investments and establishing rubber-based industries in Tripura, a senior official said on Sunday.
Notably, Tripura is the country’s second-highest natural rubber-producing state.
Despite being India’s second-largest producer of natural rubber, Tripura’s vast industrial potential in the sector remains largely untapped due to infrastructural gaps and poor connectivity to major markets.
“High transportation costs and inadequate logistics infrastructure pose major challenges to establishing rubber-based industries in Tripura. While the state has an ample supply of raw materials, the steep cost of transporting finished products to other regions makes industrial operations less viable,” the official said.
At present, one rubber thread production unit is operating in the Bodhjungnagar Industrial area in West Tripura district.
The state government, however, has been making efforts to attract more investment by offering incentives, improving connectivity, and collaborating with the Tripura Industrial Development Corporation (TIDC) and the Rubber Board to develop industrial infrastructure.
Officials say that the proximity to Bangladesh and upcoming connectivity projects, such as the Agartala-Akhaura railway link and improved access to Chittagong Port, could open new avenues for exports and logistics efficiency.
“Once the new transport links are fully operational, Tripura could emerge as a major hub for rubber-based industries in the Northeast,” the official added.
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The state produces over 70,000 tonnes of natural rubber each year, supporting the livelihoods of thousands of small growers. However, due to the limited number of processing and manufacturing units within Tripura, a majority of the raw rubber is sent outside the state for value addition.
