Agartala: Tripura Public Works Department and Health Secretary Kiran Gitte on Thursday said the recurring flooding in Agartala, Kailashahar, and Belonia cannot be addressed through state-level measures alone, stressing that a coordinated India-Bangladesh approach is essential for a lasting solution.
Speaking at a brainstorming session on waterlogging in Agartala, Gitte said the city’s major drainage channels ultimately flow into Bangladesh, where inadequate downstream drainage often causes water to back up during heavy rainfall.
“Water from channels such as Kalapania and Katakhal enters Bangladesh, but poor drainage there leads to flooding in low-lying areas.
This affects not only Agartala but also border towns like Kailashahar and Belonia. A joint action plan involving both countries can provide a sustainable solution,” he said.
Gitte said authorities in Bangladesh have shown interest in addressing the issue during meetings of the Joint River Commission and interactions between border district officials.
He suggested that funding for cross-border drainage projects could come either from the Bangladesh government or the Government of India.
Referring to the India-funded Agartala-Akhaura railway project, he said similar cooperation could be extended to flood management as connectivity between the two countries continues to expand through road, rail, and waterways.
The secretary also said the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, has been entrusted with a comprehensive study of Agartala’s waterlogging problem to recommend long-term measures.
He noted that strengthening the remaining 650-metre stretch of the northern embankment of the Howrah River would significantly reduce flooding in several parts of the city once families living in the area are rehabilitated.
According to him, the strengthened embankment would help protect areas from Maharaj Ganja Bazar to City Centre from floodwaters.
However, he cautioned that the work could increase water pressure on the southern bank, creating a new challenge that would require careful planning.
Gitte also outlined plans to improve Agartala’s drinking water supply by tapping surface water from the Gomati and other rivers.
He said the city, with a resident population of around six lakh and an additional daily floating population of nearly two lakh, currently meets only 70 to 80 per cent of its drinking water requirements through the existing infrastructure.