Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday performed the ‘bhumi puja’ for the state’s first-ever drug de-addiction centre, located in Sepahijala district.
The facility, which will be situated in Bishramganj, is set to provide a comprehensive rehabilitation programme for individuals battling drug addiction, offering modern amenities such as a swimming pool, yoga centre, and medical services.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs 121.90 crore, with Rs 86.12 crore being allocated by the Ministry of Development for North Eastern Region (DoNER) under the PM Divine scheme, while the remaining funds will be provided by the state government.
Speaking after the ceremony, Saha emphasised the government’s commitment to making Tripura a drug-free state, highlighting a policy of zero tolerance toward drug abuse.
“Drug addiction is a social disease,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of collective efforts in combating the issue.
He added that law enforcement agencies were working diligently to curb drug trafficking, but also called on society to play an active role in addressing the problem.
The chief minister further explained that the Bishramganj centre will not only serve as a rehabilitation facility but will also function as a referral centre for those needing de-addiction services across the state.
Refuting opposition claims that unemployment is driving youth towards drug addiction, Saha pointed out that the BJP-led government has created 13,000 job opportunities in various sectors since 2018, in addition to outsourcing and Daily Rated Workers (DRWs) positions.
