Tripura Emerges as Northeast’s Next Digital Hub as CM Lays Foundation Stone of Airtel’s Largest Private Data Centre in the NE Region
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, January 29, 2026
Tripura took a major leap in its digital transformation journey on Thursday with the foundation stone laying of North East India’s largest private Data Centre by Bharti Airtel (Nxtra by Airtel) in Agartala. The landmark project reinforces the State Government’s long-term Digital Tripura vision of building a technology-driven, inclusive, and innovation-led economy.
The foundation stone for the state-of-the-art Data Centre was laid by Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, marking a significant milestone in strengthening Tripura’s digital infrastructure and positioning the State as a key IT and data hub in the North Eastern region.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister congratulated the Bharti Airtel team and expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of Tripura for choosing the State for its largest Data Centre project in the North East. He emphasized that data centres form the backbone of modern IT infrastructure, enabling secure data storage, seamless digital services, and efficient functioning of both government and private institutions.
“Reliable and secure data storage is essential for delivering uninterrupted citizen services and supporting the fast-growing digital economy,” the Chief Minister said.
The ceremony was attended by Shri Pranajit Singha Roy, Minister for Information Technology, Finance, Planning & Coordination, Shri Kiran Gitte, IAS, Secretary, IT, Shri Suprakash Jamatia, Director (I/C), IT, and senior Bharti Airtel officials including Shri Balaji R, CEO, Airtel NESA, and Shri Simranbir Singh, CTO, Airtel NESA, along with other dignitaries.
Highlighting the national context, Dr. Saha noted that while India accounts for nearly 20 percent of global data consumption, its data storage capacity stands at only 2 percent. With India’s storage capacity projected to grow from 1.5 gigawatts to 8 gigawatts by 2030, the establishment of a large-scale data centre in Tripura comes at a crucial time.
He pointed out that Tripura’s favourable climate, surplus power availability, pollution-free environment, and improved air connectivity make it an ideal destination for data centre investments. The presence of India’s third International Internet Gateway at Agartala further enhances the State’s capability to provide stable, high-speed digital connectivity.
The Chief Minister also underlined Tripura’s growing strength as an education and talent hub, with seven universities, three engineering colleges, three medical colleges, six polytechnic institutions, and numerous general and professional colleges producing a skilled workforce. Combined with Tripura securing first rank in Deregulation and Compliance Reduction 2025, the State’s investor-friendly and reform-oriented governance is drawing increasing interest from national and international investors.
Under the project, the Government of Tripura has allotted one acre of land at Chanmari, Agartala, to Bharti Airtel for the Rs. 200 crore Data Centre, which will have a planned capacity of 5 megawatts and an 80,000 sq. ft. G+3 facility. Integrated with Airtel’s extensive subsea and fibre network, the Agartala Data Centre will function as a digital transport hub for the entire North East, offering low-latency and high-capacity connectivity. The project is expected to generate 150–200 direct and indirect employment opportunities and catalyse the growth of ancillary industries.
The Chief Minister acknowledged the pivotal role played by the Directorate of Information Technology in facilitating the project through proactive land allotment, infrastructure support, and administrative coordination. He highlighted that Tripura’s Data Centre Policy 2021 is among the most progressive in the country, offering attractive incentives such as floor rental reimbursement, concessional land lease, subsidised power tariff, bandwidth cost subsidy, and capital investment incentives.
Encouraged by these policies, several reputed companies including PVM Innvensys Pvt. Ltd., Polo Towers Group, and CtrlS have shown interest in setting up data centres in the State. The Government also plans to establish an Innovation and Incubation Lab adjacent to the Airtel Data Centre and develop the Tripura IT & Data Ecosystem Zone (TIDEZ) over 6.81 acres to further promote IT, ITeS, and data centre investments.
To foster innovation and entrepreneurship, the IT Department has launched the New Generation Innovation Network (NGIN) and implemented the Tripura Start-up Policy 2025, offering seed funding, prototype development support, operational reimbursements, branding assistance, and IPR protection. A Rs. 50 crore Start-up Venture Fund has been created to support start-ups with funding ranging from Rs. 25 lakh to Rs.2 crore. Currently, Tripura has 188 registered start-ups, with more than 50 new applications under review.
The Chief Minister also praised Dr. Prasanta Sarkar, a Tripura-born entrepreneur and Co-founder of Newtrace, who was among five founders invited to present their start-up journeys before the Prime Minister on National Start-up Day 2026 at Bharat Mandapam. His development of India’s first membrane-less electrolyzer was cited as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs in the State.
Referring to the strong interest shown by the global Tripura diaspora, Dr. Saha mentioned the recent Prabashi Tripurabashi Summit, attended by 86 distinguished professionals of Tripura origin from across the world, many of whom expressed willingness to invest in the State’s IT sector. To meet rising demand for plug-and-play infrastructure, the IT Department is also planning to establish Tripura’s second IT Park near Agartala.
In conclusion, the Chief Minister stated that with its progressive policies, strategic connectivity, skilled manpower, and forward-looking digital reforms, Tripura is well-positioned to emerge as a major Data Centre and IT hub in the North East. The Airtel Data Centre project, along with upcoming initiatives like the Innovation and Incubation Park and TIDEZ, reflects the Government’s strong commitment to digital transformation, investment promotion, and employment generation, firmly placing Digital Tripura on the national technology map.
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