Agartala, March 20: Manik Saha informed the Tripura Legislative Assembly that clean drinking water is now being supplied across all 51 wards of the Agartala Municipal Corporation, supported by a network of 31 iron removal plants to ensure quality distribution in urban areas.
Responding to concerns over water quality during the Assembly session, the Chief Minister said the city’s water infrastructure has seen significant expansion in recent years. He highlighted key upgrades undertaken after 2018, including the commissioning of a 5.50 MLD treatment plant at Master Para and a 3 MLD facility at College Tilla, which have enhanced supply capacity to meet growing demand.
Addressing complaints of muddy or contaminated water, Saha attributed the issue largely to ongoing construction activities such as road restoration, and the laying of cable, gas, or drainage lines. He explained that such work can sometimes damage pipelines, allowing contaminants to enter the system, but added that repairs are carried out promptly to restore normal supply.
The Chief Minister also pointed to the rollout of the “Clean Your Tank” campaign in AMC areas to promote better hygiene at the household level. Water distribution in the city is currently managed by the Tripura Jal Board through one division and four sub-divisions.
At present, Agartala operates 13 surface water treatment plants, supplemented by 31 modified and six packaged iron removal plants functioning daily. Saha noted that 25 per cent of the city’s water supply comes from surface sources such as the Howrah River, while the remaining 75 per cent is sourced from groundwater, which typically contains iron. However, he emphasised that groundwater extraction remains well within permissible limits.
With an estimated population of 5.79 lakh, Agartala requires around 78.22 million litres of water per day based on AMRUT norms. Alongside municipal supply, many households continue to rely on deep tube wells and pumps.
To strengthen quality monitoring, members of self-help groups, known as “Amrit Mitra,” are conducting door-to-door checks and awareness campaigns, including advising residents to clean water storage tanks at least once every six months.
