Agartala, March 14: The Tripura government has started cleaning the Katakhal Canal and initiated construction of a 650-metre embankment along the Howrah River as part of efforts to protect Agartala from seasonal flooding.
Officials including Secretary Kiran Gitte, Commissioner of the Agartala Municipal Corporation, West Tripura District Magistrate Dr Vishal Kumar, Saju Wahid and Dr Gugulavath Sharath Nayak conducted an on-site inspection of the canal and embankment project.
Gitte said the city depends on two primary outlets for floodwater — the Howrah River and the Katakhal Canal. He stated that authorities had inspected the entire stretch of the canal and begun cleaning operations to remove blockages and ensure smooth water flow.
He added that the Agartala Municipal Corporation, Agartala Smart City Limited and the state Water Resources Department are jointly working on the project.
According to Gitte, the state government has sanctioned funds for the construction of the embankment as well as for land acquisition required for the project.
He also noted that Chief Minister Manik Saha had assured the Assembly last year that a 650-metre embankment would be built along the Howrah River, and the government has now begun implementing that commitment.
Officials said the measures are expected to prevent overflow from the Howrah River and Katakhal Canal during heavy rainfall. Gitte added that the city’s pumping systems are fully operational and capable of draining water within an hour if flooding occurs.
The initiative is part of the state government’s broader efforts to strengthen flood mitigation and improve urban resilience in Agartala ahead of the monsoon season.
