Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha recently inaugurated WiFi facilities in 11 additional government general degree colleges, marking a significant boost for digital education in the state. With this latest rollout, every general degree college across Tripura is now equipped with WiFi connectivity. Officials have also announced plans to extend this vital facility to five polytechnic institutes in the near future.
The comprehensive project was initiated last October with its first phase, successfully connecting 19 colleges through a robust 100 Mbps backbone network. The newly launched second phase expands this reach to the remaining 11 colleges, ensuring seamless campus-wide coverage with approximately 20 wireless access points installed in each institution.
Representing a substantial investment of Rs 12.32 crore, this initiative guarantees reliable internet access for students, faculty, and staff alike. It signifies a major stride towards fundamentally transforming higher education throughout Tripura.
During the inauguration ceremony, Chief Minister Saha emphasized that this program goes beyond merely bridging the digital divide; it actively promotes collaboration, innovation, and digital literacy among students. He reiterated that this strategic move perfectly aligns with the state’s overarching vision of integrating cutting-edge technology with educational advancements.
Addressing reporters, Saha also revealed that the government will provide financial assistance of Rs 5,000 to college students, enabling them to purchase mobile phones under the ambitious Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana (MYYY). Elaborating on this, Saha stated, “Initially, this assistance was only available to final-year students of government general degree colleges. Now, we are extending coverage to include first- and second-year students as well. This expansion is crucial and will undoubtedly further accelerate digital education.”
Furthermore, Chief Minister Saha mentioned that the state government has allocated land to Bharti Airtel for the establishment of a data center on the outskirts of Agartala. This project is expected to involve an investment of Rs 200 crore, further solidifying the state’s digital infrastructure.
Key dignitaries present at the program included Finance and IT Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman, and Industries and IT Secretary Kiran Gitte.