The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide financial assistance of Rs 530 crore to the Tripura government to upgrade the drinking water supply in 12 cities across the state, benefiting around 400,000 people, officials said on Friday.
Chief Minister Manik Saha laid the foundation for the ‘Mukhyamantri Nagar Unnayan Prakalp’ (Chief Minister’s Urban Development Scheme) at a ceremony in Udaipur, the district headquarters of Gomati in southern Tripura.
Saha stated that upon the scheme's completion in three years, it would solve a significant drinking water problem for over 75,000 families in the 12 cities. The ADB-funded project will be implemented in Udaipur, Amarpur, Belonia, Melaghar, Bishramganj, Khowai, Ranir Bazar, Mohanpur, Dharmanagar, Kailashahar, Kumarghat, and Ambassa.
Seven of these cities—Udaipur, Belonia, Bishramganj, Khowai, Dharmanagar, Kailashahar, and Ambassa—serve as district headquarters.
As part of the plan, a 305-km water pipeline will be laid, 25 deep tubewells, 18 iron removal plants, four water treatment plants, and 19 water reservoirs will be constructed, Saha explained. The scheme will be extended to Agartala Municipal Corporation and seven other cities in a second phase.
The Chief Minister also suggested officials explore the possibility of setting up urban health clinics in the 12 cities under the programme.
“Access to pure drinking water for all is a top priority for the government,” said Saha, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for their support in approving the ADB-funded scheme.
Pranajit Singha Roy, the Finance, Planning, and Coordination Minister, criticised the previous Left government for failing to build infrastructure to supply pure drinking water, which led to widespread suffering.
Abhishek Singh, Secretary of the Urban Development Department, said that after a year of effort, the ambitious ADB-funded project was finalised.
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