By Firstdespatch Desk Jul 06, 2026
Agartala, July 6 (FD) An abandoned sub-divisional jail in Dharmanagar of North Tripura is being transformed into a vibrant integrated marketplace for women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs), in a unique initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, rural livelihoods and local handicrafts.
The ₹1.01-crore project, being implemented by the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM), will convert the former jail premises into an Integrated Marketing Centre named "Juri Haat". The facility will house a coffee shop, a restaurant, dedicated sales outlets for SHG products, and exhibition spaces showcasing handcrafted and locally manufactured goods from across the district.
North Tripura District Magistrate Chandni Chandran said the proposal to repurpose the abandoned jail building was approved by the TRLM, and renovation work is progressing rapidly.
"We proposed converting the abandoned sub-divisional jail into a marketplace for Self-Help Groups, and the TRLM accepted the proposal. Renovation work has already started, and we expect to make the facility operational before Durga Puja," the District Magistrate said.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Dharmanagar Debjani Chowdhury said the project would not only give a new lease of life to an unused government property but also create sustainable livelihood opportunities for women associated with SHGs.
She said the marketplace would provide a common platform for women entrepreneurs from across North Tripura to exhibit and market their products, thereby enhancing their income and expanding market access.
The old sub-divisional jail has remained vacant since May 2022, when prison operations were shifted to a newly constructed correctional facility on the outskirts of Dharmanagar with improved infrastructure and enhanced security arrangements.
According to TRLM officials, the marketplace will be managed by a Cluster Level Federation (CLF), which will oversee operations and facilitate participation by SHGs from all eight blocks of North Tripura district.
Officials said more than 90 per cent of the renovation work has already been completed, and the integrated marketplace is expected to be inaugurated ahead of the Durga Puja festivities.
The initiative is expected to strengthen rural entrepreneurship, promote indigenous products, and provide a significant boost to women-led enterprises while transforming an abandoned public building into a vibrant community and commercial hub. FD JK