Tripura Government Targets 80% Irrigation Coverage to Enhance Agriculture: CM Saha

Agartala, Feb 18 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Tripura, Manik Saha, announced on Tuesday that the state has set an ambitious goal of reaching 80 percent irrigation coverage for its cultivable land within the next few years.

While speaking at the 2nd All India State Water Ministers Conference held in Udaipur, Rajasthan, the Chief Minister elaborated on various initiatives undertaken by the state government, including the construction of 43 flood protection embankments and anti-erosion efforts on riverbanks to alleviate flood conditions.

“Tripura stands as the third smallest state in India, encompassing a geographical area of 10,491 sq. km. The state is primarily hilly, with over 70 percent of its land covered by forests. Many residents in these regions rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods,” he explained.

Saha emphasized that the state government is prioritizing the development of more irrigation projects to boost agricultural productivity and assist farmers in doubling their income. “Currently, 25 percent of the total geographical area is cultivable, and 47 percent of that land is under irrigation. Our aim is to achieve 80 percent irrigation coverage of cultivable land in the upcoming years,” stated Saha, who also oversees the Water Resource portfolio.

He noted that due to the rapid flow of rivers and limited water storage options, there is minimal opportunity for surface water-based irrigation projects in Tripura. Thus, the government is focusing on creating rainwater storage systems and constructing minor irrigation dams.

Prominent figures at the conference included Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R Patil, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, among others.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that the state has pinpointed 98 suitable sites for minor irrigation projects spanning 30,000 hectares and has commenced work on 14 of these initiatives. He highlighted that Tripura is rich in groundwater resources due to its long rainy season and extensive forest cover.

“We currently utilize only 9.48 percent of our groundwater resources, which is significantly lower than the national average. We've also initiated deep tube wells for irrigation and drinking water purposes. Since the launch of the ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch The Rain’, the annual extractable dynamic groundwater resources have risen from 1.063 billion cubic meters in 2023 to 1.18 billion cubic meters in 2024,” the Chief Minister revealed.

He further stated that over 45,000 water structures have been developed under the ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch The Rain’ initiative. This includes the revitalization of 975 Amrit Sarovars across eight districts and several historical water structures from the 14th century. Currently, 6.38 lakh households (or 85 percent) have reliable tap water supplies, with plans to extend this to 100 percent coverage by September 31, 2025, in all rural areas.

In urban regions, the state has secured funding from the Asian Development Bank to ensure 24x7 water supply in 12 towns. Initiatives under AMRUT 2.0 are also underway to enhance water supply across eight towns. Major water bodies in Agartala and other locations have been rejuvenated through the Mukhyamantri Nagar Unnayan Prakalpa.

Tripura, with its 10 major rivers, faces challenges during the monsoon season, including severe riverbank erosion and flooding.