Agartala, July 12 (IANS). The Government of Tripura has initiated two large and long-term infrastructure projects for Agartala. These include a Rs 1,000-crore flood protection project and an ambitious plan to interlink rivers to bring surface water from the Gomati river to the state capital. The objective of both these projects is to strengthen the capacity to deal with floods and ensure continuous supply of drinking water.
At a government event, Chief Minister Manik Saha said that his government’s aim is to gradually reduce the dependence on groundwater for drinking, domestic and other essential purposes. For this they are finding sustainable sources of surface water.
Speaking to the media after inaugurating a newly constructed reservoir in Agartala, the Chief Minister said the proposed flood protection plan calls for construction of two protective embankments and installation of three additional pumping stations. This will significantly improve the city’s drainage system and reduce the risk of floods in urban areas.
He said that the scheme will be implemented in phases depending on the availability of funds. Referring to the devastating floods that hit Tripura in July and August 2024, Saha directed all departments to remain on high alert and ensure complete preparedness to deal with any emergency during the current monsoon season.
He asked the authorities to keep rescue equipment, boats and relief camps ready; maintaining adequate stocks of food, drinking water, medicines and other essential items; Instructed to monitor the water level of the river and embankments round the clock and issue timely warnings to people living in low-risk and low-lying areas.
The Chief Minister said the government was also considering a proposal to bring surface water from the Gomati river, about 60 km from Agartala. This will reduce the capital city’s dependence on iron-rich groundwater, which has long been a challenge to the drinking water supply system.
According to Saha, experts have found the proposal technically feasible, as Agartala already has a large network of water distribution. This allows treated surface water to be supplied with very little additional distribution infrastructure.
He said that before any final decision is taken, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will comprehensively assess the technical feasibility of the project, year-round water availability in the Gomti River, the amount of water that can be diverted in a sustainable manner and other environmental and engineering aspects.
The Chief Minister said that under the proposed river-linking initiative, Gomti river will be considered first. If found viable, the concept can later be extended to utilize water from other rivers in the state before they flow into neighboring Bangladesh.
However, Saha clarified that the river-linking proposal is still in the planning stage and no final decision has been taken yet. All aspects will be thoroughly examined through detailed technical studies before going ahead with the project. Tripura has 12 large and medium rivers, eight of which flow through different districts and then join larger rivers in neighboring Bangladesh. Apart from these eight rivers, water from many canals also flows into Bangladesh.
Saha said that in a previous meeting, a Bangladesh minister had expressed concern that polluted water from some canals flowing through Tripura was causing skin and health problems to the people living across the border.
“In view of this, we have decided to set up a water treatment plant to clean the canal water before it reaches the neighboring country,” the Chief Minister said.
–IANS
SCH/VC