Tripura CM Manik Saha announces 80% piped water coverage in TTAADC areas, promises 100% soon

Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Thursday informed the State Legislative Assembly that nearly 80 per cent of households in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) region have been connected to piped drinking water, marking a significant step forward in the state’s water supply mission.

Speaking on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, Dr. Saha, who also holds charge of the Drinking Water and Sanitation (DWS) Department, assured that the remaining areas would be covered soon. He said the government is taking a series of measures to ensure that every village in Tripura has access to safe drinking water.

The matter was brought up by Tipra Motha Party MLA Ranjit Debbarma, who highlighted the ongoing water crisis in several ADC areas. He referred to a recent road blockade in Mungiakami hills under West Tripura District, during which Minister Kishor Barman was reportedly stranded, and urged the government to address the grievances of local residents urgently.

Acknowledging the challenges, Dr. Saha said water shortages persist in some hilly regions due to geographical constraints. In many locations, conventional deep tube wells cannot be installed because of unsuitable groundwater conditions. To overcome this, the government is adopting innovative methods, including the use of canal and waterfall water sources, to ensure supply in remote and difficult terrains.

Highlighting achievements under the Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in 2019, Dr. Saha noted that piped water coverage in rural areas was only 3.26 per cent at the start of the programme. Today, around 6.69 lakh households out of 7.50 lakh families are connected, representing 86 per cent coverage across the state.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to achieving 100 per cent piped water coverage, saying coordinated efforts with the Central Government are underway to ensure every household receives drinking water facilities.