Agartala, known for its scenic water bodies, faces a crisis as land demand for housing rapidly consumes these natural resources. The swift expansion of the city has driven land diversion for residential construction, resulting in the encroachment of water bodies in areas such as Barjala and Lanka Basti. Dr. Vishal Kumar, District Magistrate of West Tripura, expressed concern about the significant impact on the city’s landscape, noting that land filling for housing has become rampant.
“Land diversion has dramatically altered Agartala’s land profile over the years,” Dr. Kumar explained, citing Barjala and Lanka Basti as examples where water bodies have been filled in for residential development. Agartala, which originally covered only 31 square kilometers, has grown to 64 square kilometers. Under a new development plan, this could extend to 121 square kilometers.
While there is increasing pressure to meet the city’s housing demand, Dr. Kumar emphasized the need for a “holistic approach” to address the issue. He highlighted the challenge of balancing population demands with the preservation of water bodies, suggesting that halting land diversion altogether could exacerbate the problem by increasing the number of landless individuals in the city.
In collaboration with the Agartala Municipal Corporation, the district administration is drafting a comprehensive urban plan that includes the establishment of water preservation wells. A proposal has already been submitted to implement these water reserves, aiming to conserve resources, provide disaster relief, and maintain adequate land for community welfare.
Dr. Kumar urged residents to avoid filling up ponds, cautioning that the loss of water bodies brings adverse environmental consequences. The administration, he added, will take strict action against offenders to curb the practice of encroachment.
