WaterSupply – Agartala Achieves Full Coverage of Safe Drinking Water Network

WaterSupply – Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday informed the Assembly that all 51 wards under the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) are now receiving clean and treated drinking water. The announcement highlights the state government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen urban water infrastructure and ensure safe water access for residents.

Expansion of Treatment Facilities Strengthens Supply

Addressing legislators during the fifth day of the Tripura Legislative Assembly session, the Chief Minister noted that multiple treatment facilities have been set up over the years to support water purification. He pointed out that after 2018, two major plants — a 5.50 million litres per day (MLD) unit at Master Para and a 3 MLD facility at College Tilla — were completed to boost supply capacity.

At present, the AMC area is supported by 13 surface water treatment plants. In addition, 31 modified iron removal plants and six packaged iron removal units are operational, supplying treated water to households on a daily basis. These systems play a crucial role in improving water quality, especially in areas where groundwater contains high iron content.

Temporary Disruptions Linked to Ongoing Infrastructure Work

The Chief Minister acknowledged that residents occasionally face issues such as muddy or discoloured water. He explained that such problems usually arise during construction and maintenance activities, including road repairs, drainage work, and the laying of utility lines such as cables and gas pipelines.

According to Saha, accidental damage to water pipelines during these works can allow contaminants to enter the system. However, he assured that authorities respond promptly to repair the damage and restore normal supply, minimizing inconvenience to the public.

Clean Your Tank Campaign Launched

To improve water hygiene at the household level, the Agartala Municipal Corporation has initiated a “Clean Your Tank” campaign. The initiative encourages residents to regularly maintain and clean their water storage systems.

Officials have also been tasked with spreading awareness about the importance of cleaning water tanks at least once every six months. This step is aimed at reducing the risk of contamination within homes, even when treated water is supplied.

Water Sources and Usage Patterns Explained

Providing details about water sourcing, the Chief Minister said that approximately 25 percent of Agartala’s water supply comes from surface water, primarily from the Howrah River. The remaining 75 percent is drawn from groundwater sources, which often contain iron and require treatment before distribution.

He cited data from the Central Ground Water Board, stating that up to 60.60 percent of groundwater resources in the region can be safely utilized. Currently, only about 10.06 percent is being extracted, indicating that there is still considerable scope for sustainable usage.

Rising Demand with Growing Population

The growing population of Agartala has increased the demand for drinking water. With an estimated population of over 5.79 lakh people in the AMC area, the city requires a substantial daily supply. Based on AMRUT guidelines, each individual needs around 135 litres of water per day, resulting in a total daily demand of approximately 78.22 million litres.

To meet this requirement, authorities continue to rely heavily on groundwater, supplemented by surface water sources and treatment infrastructure.

Monitoring Water Quality at Household Level

The government has also implemented measures to ensure that water quality is maintained at the consumer level. Members of self-help groups, known as Amrit Mitras, regularly visit households across different wards to test water quality and provide guidance to residents.

In addition, many homes in the city have their own water access systems, such as deep tube wells and pumps, which supplement the municipal supply.

Officials believe that a combination of infrastructure upgrades, regular monitoring, and community awareness will help maintain consistent access to safe drinking water across Agartala.