The Hindu 23.12.2013
Tripura plans master plan to provide drinking water to all areas
The Tripura government will be preparing a master plan to provide
drinking water to all localities of the State. The decision was taken at
a high-level meeting to review the water and sanitation situation in
remote habitations.
Officials said 134 localities, mostly
tribal-dominated and remote, had no source of drinking water. The
residents often face death and diseases due to consumption of
contaminated water.
The review meeting chaired by Chief Minister
Manik Sarkar, Drinking and Water Sanitation (DWS) Minister Ratan Bhowmik
and senior officials of different departments took stock of the water
and sanitation situation in the State. The meeting decided to get ready a
master plan to ensure supply of drinking water in hitherto unattended
localities.
“The Chief Minister wanted the plan be ready by
January 3, and initiate measures thereafter,” a DWS official said on
Sunday. A committee with Chief Conservator of Forests Sanatan Talukder
as chair has been constituted for the purpose.
The meeting
extensively discussed possible measures to help out distressed people.
Even shifting of some tribal hamlets to areas near permanent water
sources was suggested. A decision was taken to involve the Forests and
Tribal Welfare Department in a lead role with the assistance of relevant
departments to solve the water crisis.
Residents often face death & diseases due to consumption of contaminated water.
