Agartala achieves 100% clean drinking water coverage across all 51 AMC wards with advanced treatment plants, improved infrastructure, and groundwater management. CM Manik Saha highlights sustainable supply, quality checks, and public awareness initiatives for safe urban water access.
In a major boost to urban infrastructure and public health, Manik Saha on Thursday announced that all 51 wards under the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) are now receiving purified drinking water. The announcement was made during the fifth day of the Tripura Legislative Assembly session, highlighting the state government’s sustained efforts to ensure equitable access to clean water across the capital city.
Addressing the Assembly, the Chief Minister stated that the water supply system in AMC areas has significantly improved over the years, with a robust mechanism now in place to deliver safe drinking water daily. “At present, all 51 wards of AMC are covered under the purified drinking water distribution system,” he affirmed.
The water supply infrastructure in Agartala has been strengthened with the establishment of 31 iron removal plants that ensure the purification of groundwater, which naturally contains high iron content. In addition, there are 13 surface water treatment plants functioning across the municipal area. These facilities collectively ensure that water supplied to households meets safety standards.
Dr. Saha elaborated that nearly 25 percent of the city’s water supply is sourced from surface water, particularly the Howrah River, while the remaining 75 percent is drawn from groundwater. The groundwater undergoes rigorous treatment through modified and packaged iron removal plants before being supplied to residents.
The Chief Minister also highlighted key infrastructure projects undertaken after 2018 that have significantly enhanced water treatment capacity. A 5.50 million liters per day (MLD) treatment plant at Master Para and a 3 MLD plant at College Tilla have been successfully completed and are now operational. These projects have played a crucial role in stabilizing water supply and improving quality across AMC wards.
However, Dr. Saha acknowledged that residents occasionally face issues of muddy or contaminated water. He clarified that such incidents are usually temporary and occur during ongoing infrastructure works such as road restoration, cable laying, gas pipeline installation, or drainage construction. “During these activities, pipelines may accidentally get damaged, allowing impurities to enter the system. We ensure immediate repair and restoration to maintain water quality,” he assured.
To further improve water hygiene, AMC has launched the “Clean Your Tank” campaign, encouraging residents to maintain cleanliness in their household water storage systems. This initiative aims to minimize contamination at the consumer level and promote public awareness about safe water practices.
Water distribution in AMC is managed by the Tripura Jal Board under the Drinking Water and Sanitation (DWS) Division Agartala One, along with four DWS subdivisions. The system ensures daily water supply across all wards through a combination of surface and groundwater treatment facilities.
Providing insights into water demand and sustainability, Dr. Saha cited data from the Central Ground Water Board. He stated that 60.60 percent of groundwater resources in the region are extractable, but currently, only 10.06 percent is being utilized. Despite this, the city remains heavily dependent on groundwater for its drinking water needs.
With a population of approximately 5,79,418 residents, Agartala requires around 78.22 million liters of drinking water per day, based on AMRUT guidelines of 135 liters per person per day. The government continues to work towards meeting this demand efficiently while maintaining sustainability.
In addition to centralized supply, many households in AMC areas rely on deep tube wells, pumps, and other localized water sources. To ensure safety, regular water quality checks are conducted. Members of self-help groups, known as “Amrit Mitra,” carry out door-to-door inspections and spread awareness about the importance of cleaning water storage tanks every six months.
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The Chief Minister emphasized that ensuring safe and adequate drinking water remains a top priority for the state government. With improved infrastructure, proactive maintenance, and community participation, Agartala is steadily moving towards a more reliable and sustainable urban water supply system.
