By TC News Desk
Agartala, 6th August 2025 : The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) has recommended deferring the proposed inauguration of the redeveloped Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) College Lake—commonly known as College Tilla Lake—under the Smart City Mission, citing ongoing legal proceedings related to the project.
The recommendation was issued in response to a petition filed by the Forum for Protection of Environment and Waterbodies in connection with Case No. 98/2025. The Forum objected to the announcement made by Agartala Smart City Limited, which scheduled the lake’s inauguration for August 15, 2025, despite the matter being sub judice before the Commission.
According to the order issued by THRC Chairperson Justice Arindam Lodh, the petition—submitted on August 5—was accompanied by a newspaper report highlighting the scheduled event. The complainant argued that proceeding with the inauguration could undermine the Commission’s authority and render its proceedings meaningless.
“Inaugurating the project would amount to a fait accompli, thereby frustrating the very purpose of the ongoing proceedings,” the order states, adding that the announcement appears to be an attempt to render the matter infructuous.
Justice Lodh noted that the Commission is convinced that going ahead with the inauguration may adversely impact both the complaint and the broader concerns under review.
Accordingly, the Commission has recommended that key authorities—including the Secretaries of the Urban Development and Revenue Departments, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), the District Magistrate of West Tripura, and the CEO of Agartala Smart City Limited—postpone the event until the case is resolved or until further orders are issued.
