Agartala, March 19 (NationPress) Tripura's Chief Minister Manik Saha announced on Thursday that all 51 wards within the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) are now receiving purified drinking water, facilitated by a robust network of treatment and iron-removal plants.

During the fifth day of the Tripura Legislative Assembly Budget Session, Saha emphasized that the urban water-supply infrastructure has been significantly enhanced, featuring 31 iron-removal plants that guarantee safe drinking water throughout municipal regions.

He noted that since 2018, several new treatment facilities have been established, including a 5.50 MLD plant in Master Para and a 3 MLD plant in College Tilla, to improve water supply.

Addressing the issue of sporadic muddy water, the Chief Minister explained that such challenges typically occur during infrastructure projects like road repairs, gas pipeline installations, and drainage work, which can inadvertently damage existing pipelines.

“These issues are swiftly resolved to restore normal service,” he stated.

He assured that these interruptions are temporary and are promptly managed by the relevant departments.

Saha also informed the assembly that the AMC has initiated a “Clean Your Tank” campaign aimed at encouraging residents to maintain hygiene and safe water-storage habits.

The water supply in AMC areas is overseen by the Tripura Jal Board through the DWS Division in Agartala, along with four sub-divisions. Currently, there are 13 surface-water treatment plants, 31 modified iron-removal plants, and six packaged iron-removal units that operate daily.

In terms of water sourcing, the Chief Minister indicated that approximately 25 percent of the water supply is drawn from surface sources, primarily the Howrah River, while 75 percent comes from groundwater, which contains iron.

According to data from the Central Ground Water Board, up to 60.60 percent of groundwater resources can be safely extracted, yet only around 10.06 percent is currently utilized.

He noted that groundwater remains the main source of drinking water in the state.

With an estimated AMC population of 5.79 lakh, the total daily water demand is approximately 78.22 million litres, adhering to AMRUT guidelines of 135 litres per person daily.

Additionally, many households enhance their water supply using deep tube wells and pumps.

To ensure water safety, monitoring of water quality has been intensified, with members from self-help groups under the “Amrit Mitra” initiative conducting door-to-door testing in various wards.

They also educate residents on the significance of cleaning water-storage tanks every six months.