Tripura plans a Rs 1,000-crore flood protection project, Gomati River surface water supply, and a water treatment plant to reduce groundwater dependence, strengthen flood resilience, improve Agartala’s drinking water system, and prevent polluted canal water from flowing into neighbouring Bangladesh.
The Tripura government has unveiled two major long-term infrastructure proposals aimed at transforming Agartala’s water management system while strengthening flood resilience and protecting the environment. The initiatives include a proposed Rs 1,000-crore flood protection project for the state capital and an ambitious plan to utilise surface water from the Gomati River to reduce dependence on groundwater for drinking and domestic use.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, addressing an official programme in Agartala, said the government is committed to ensuring sustainable water management by gradually shifting from groundwater to surface water sources. The proposals are designed to improve drinking water availability, reduce urban flooding and promote environmentally responsible water resource management.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a renovated water body in Agartala, the Chief Minister said the proposed flood mitigation project includes the construction of two protective embankments and three additional pumping stations to improve the city’s drainage infrastructure. The project is expected to significantly reduce waterlogging and flood risks during heavy rainfall.
Saha said the flood protection initiative would be implemented in phases depending on the availability of financial resources. Referring to the devastating floods that affected Tripura during July and August 2024, he instructed all government departments to remain fully prepared throughout the ongoing monsoon season.
The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that rescue boats, emergency equipment and relief shelters remain ready for deployment. He also instructed departments to maintain sufficient stocks of food, drinking water, medicines and other essential supplies while continuously monitoring river water levels and embankments. Authorities have also been asked to issue timely alerts to residents living in vulnerable and low-lying areas whenever required.
Highlighting the state’s long-term water security strategy, Saha said the government is examining the feasibility of bringing surface water from the Gomati River, located around 60 kilometres from Agartala, to meet the capital city’s drinking water requirements. The move aims to reduce dependence on iron-rich groundwater, which has posed challenges for the state’s drinking water supply system for many years.
According to the Chief Minister, technical experts have found the proposal to be feasible because Agartala already possesses a well-established water distribution network that could supply treated surface water with minimal expansion of existing infrastructure.
He said a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will evaluate various aspects of the proposal, including year-round water availability in the Gomati River, the quantity of water that can be sustainably diverted, engineering requirements and environmental considerations before any final decision is made.
Saha said the Gomati River would be the first river considered under the proposed river-linking initiative. If the project proves successful and technically viable, the government may later explore similar utilisation of water from other rivers in the state before they flow into neighbouring Bangladesh.
However, he clarified that the river-linking proposal remains at the planning stage, and no final decision has yet been taken. Detailed technical studies and environmental assessments will determine the project’s future course.
Tripura has 12 major and medium rivers, eight of which flow through different districts before entering Bangladesh. In addition, several canals originating in the state also discharge water across the international border.
The Chief Minister revealed that during an earlier meeting, a Bangladesh Minister had expressed concerns over polluted canal water flowing from Tripura, stating that it had reportedly caused skin and other health-related problems among people living in border areas of the neighbouring country.
Responding to these concerns, Saha announced that the state government has decided to establish a water treatment plant to treat canal water before it flows into Bangladesh. The initiative is expected to improve environmental protection, strengthen cross-border water management and reinforce the state’s commitment to responsible and sustainable utilisation of its water resources.
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The proposed projects collectively represent one of Tripura’s most significant long-term efforts to enhance flood preparedness, secure sustainable drinking water supplies, improve urban infrastructure and promote environmental conservation while addressing concerns related to transboundary water quality.
