Agartala: Northeast India's biggest and most modern jail was today set up at Goutam Nagar in Tripura's Sipahijala district, about 20 km from here.
Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who inaugurated the facility said, “No one is a born criminal. Criminals should be given a chance to correct themselves. We want to convert this jail into a correctional centre in the true spirit.” Constructed on 32.62 acres and at a cost of Rs 64 crore, the new jail would accommodate 975 prisoners, including 50 women and 25 VIP detainees, state jail minister Manindra Lal Reang said.
The high security jail was fitted with a computerised CCTV network which would be able to keep a continuous watch on every nook and corner of the complex, Reang said.
“It would be the second most modern jail in the country after Bengaluru. All facilities for prisoners would be available,” he told reporters.
The jail has a 20-bedded hospital and a playground.
The 139-year-old Agartala Central jail, which has a capacity of 355 inmates, would be dismantled and a science college would be constructed in its place, officials said.