Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha today called for a “mission mode” approach to developing a long-term, sustainable water resource management strategy for Tripura, stressing that planning must address both present and future needs of Agartala city as well as the wider state.

He was speaking at a high-level review meeting held at the War Room of TIFT on S.P. Mukherjee Lane in Agartala, where officials presented updates on the proposed Agartala water supply system based on the Gomati River.

Dr. Saha emphasized that water planning should not be limited to urban requirements alone, but should extend to ensuring safe drinking water availability across the state. He highlighted the importance of making effective use of surplus or currently underutilized water resources, calling for coordinated efforts to prevent wastage.

He also underlined the need to strengthen rainwater harvesting systems, particularly during the monsoon season, so that stored water can be utilized during periods of scarcity.

“The impossible can be achieved through sustained effort and determination,” the Chief Minister said, adding that long-term vision and execution are key to large-scale infrastructure success. He also referred to successful initiatives under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as examples of effective planning and implementation.

Officials informed the Chief Minister about a broader proposal to utilize surplus surface water from 12 rivers across the state for drinking water supply. In the first phase, the plan includes supplying treated surface water from the Gomati River to Udaipur, Bishramganj, Bishalgarh, and Agartala.

According to the proposal, implementation of the project would significantly reduce dependence on groundwater and help address issues such as high iron content in groundwater, which affects drinking water quality in several parts of Tripura.

The meeting also discussed developing a permanent, river-based water supply system along the Gomati River, along with the creation of dedicated raw water reservoirs to store water during the dry season for year-round supply.