Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha announced on Tuesday that the state’s annual extractable dynamic groundwater resources have risen to 1.18 billion cubic meters (BCM) in 2024, up from 1.063 BCM in 2023.

Addressing the 2nd All India State Water Ministers Conference 2025 in Udaipur, Rajasthan, Dr. Saha highlighted the state’s commitment to improving agricultural productivity. The government aims to achieve 80% irrigation coverage of cultivable land in the near future. Currently, 47% of the state’s 25% cultivable land is under irrigation.

Dr. Saha further explained that due to the state’s fast-flowing rivers and limited water storage capacity, large-scale surface water irrigation projects are not viable. Instead, the government is focusing on the development of rainwater storage structures and minor irrigation dams. The state has identified 98 sites for minor irrigation projects, covering 30,000 hectares, with work already started on 14 of them.

Despite Tripura’s abundant groundwater resources, the state currently uses only 9.48% of its reserves, significantly lower than the national average. To maximize groundwater use, deep tube well projects are being implemented for irrigation and drinking water, supported by the Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch The Rain initiative.

Additionally, the state government is investing in water conservation efforts, including rainwater harvesting, renovation of traditional water bodies, watershed development, and afforestation. To mitigate the impact of floods and erosion from the state’s major rivers, 43 flood protection embankments have been constructed, with anti-erosion measures along riverbanks.

Looking ahead, Tripura is formulating a long-term action plan for sustainable water resource management with a vision for 2047, focusing on bridging demand-supply gaps and addressing climate change challenges.