Guwahati: Around 80 per cent of areas under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) have been covered by piped drinking water connections, Chief Minister Manik Saha told the state Assembly on Thursday, August 27.
Speaking during the opening day of the Monsoon Session of the Tripura Legislative Assembly, Saha said the remaining areas would be covered soon as the government continues efforts to extend drinking water facilities to every village.
The issue was raised by Tipra Motha Party MLA Ranjit Debbarma, who drew attention to water shortages in several parts of the TTAADC region. He urged the government to take immediate measures to address the problem.
Debbarma also referred to a road blockade in the Mungiakami hills area of West Tripura district, during which Minister Kishor Barman was reportedly stranded. He called for an early resolution of the water-related grievances faced by residents.
Responding to the concerns, Saha, who also holds the Drinking Water and Sanitation (DWS) portfolio, acknowledged that shortages continue in some areas, particularly in hilly and remote locations.
The Chief Minister said conventional deep tubewells cannot be installed in several hilly areas because of geographical limitations and the lack of suitable groundwater sources. The government is therefore exploring alternative methods to ensure drinking water reaches these communities.
According to Saha, canals and waterfalls are being tapped at suitable locations to provide water to people living in remote and hilly areas.
Highlighting progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), launched in 2019, Saha said rural piped water coverage in Tripura stood at only around 3.26 per cent when the programme began.
The coverage has since increased substantially, with around 6.69 lakh of the state’s 7.50 lakh households now connected to piped drinking water, taking overall coverage to approximately 86 per cent.
Saha said the government is targeting 100 per cent piped water coverage and is taking steps to ensure every village and household receives access to drinking water.
He added that the state government, in coordination with the Centre, is working to expand water infrastructure across Tripura.
Within the TTAADC region, household coverage through piped water connections currently stands at around 80 per cent, the Chief Minister said.