The Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) is converting an abandoned sub-divisional jail building at Dharmanagar in North Tripura into a vibrant hub of entrepreneurship, culture, and community dining, officials announced on Monday. The project, costing Rs 1.01 crore, aims to empower women through self-help groups (SHGs).
Facilities and Features
The renovated facility will house a cozy coffee house, a restaurant serving local cuisine, and a marketplace for exclusive products made by women SHG members, including handcrafted and locally produced items. The integrated marketing centre, named 'Juri Haat,' will provide a platform for SHG members from eight blocks of the district to display and sell their products under one roof.
"We have proposed to use the abandoned subdivision jail at Dharmanagar by setting up a marketplace, and the TRLM authority accepted our proposal. Renovation work has already begun, and the facilities are expected to open before Durga Puja," District Magistrate of North Tripura, Chandni Chandran, told PTI.
Background and Impact
The sub-divisional jail at Dharmanagar, which had limited facilities, was shifted to the outskirts of the town in May 2022 to provide modern services and better security for inmates, leaving the old structure unused. The TRLM saw an opportunity to repurpose the idle building for livelihood generation.
"It is good to utilise the old sub-divisional jail which has remained idle since May 2022 for livelihood purposes, especially for women-run Self Help Groups. The SHGs of the entire North Tripura district will be able to display and sell their products under one roof facility," said Debjani Chowdhury, Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Dharmanagar.
Progress and Operations
A senior TRLM official confirmed that over 90 per cent of the renovation work is already completed. A Cluster Level Federation (CLF) will be formed to manage the integrated marketplace, ensuring sustainable operations. "With over 90 per cent of the renovation work already completed, the countdown has begun! We are hopeful of inaugurating Juri Haat soon and opening its doors to visitors, shoppers, and food lovers alike," the official said.
The initiative is expected to boost local entrepreneurship, promote Tripura's cultural heritage, and provide economic opportunities for women in the region.
