Agartala, March 27, 2025: Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Thursday assured the Legislative Assembly that discussions will be held with officials from the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department regarding the feasibility of constructing a large-scale drinking water treatment plant at the Dumbur reservoir in Dhalai district.

Responding to a reference period notice raised by BJP MLA Ranjit Das, who urged the government to purify the reserved water of Dumbur reservoir and ensure uninterrupted supply for public consumption, Dr. Saha highlighted the ongoing initiatives in the region.

“As per the department’s plan, one innovative project has been established in Sadaynanda Para under Ranirpukur Village Council of Dumburnagar Block and another in Prabhuram Para under Naikkachhara Village Council. The Sadaynanda Para project was launched in March 2024 and is supplying drinking water through pipelines to 65 families. Meanwhile, the Prabhuram Para project is awaiting an electricity connection and is expected to provide drinking water to 55 families once operational,” the Chief Minister informed the House.

He further stated that another innovative project, focusing on the reserved water of the Dumbur reservoir, has already been completed and launched in Narayan Sardar Para under West Potachhara Village Council of Raishyabari Block. “Through this initiative, 55 families are now receiving drinking water through pipelines,” he added.

Providing data on the Dumbur reservoir’s water storage capacity, Dr. Saha stated, “According to information from the Power and Water Resources Departments, the reservoir holds an estimated 286.9 million liters of water during the rainy season, while in the dry season, storage drops to approximately 182 million liters.”

However, he pointed out a significant challenge related to hydroelectric power generation at the reservoir. “The hydroelectric power plant located around the Dumbur reservoir requires at least 209.8 crore liters of water for continuous electricity generation. During the dry season, the available water is less than required for around 50 to 70 days,” Dr. Saha noted.

Additionally, he acknowledged the technical setbacks faced by the power infrastructure. “Currently, two turbines of the hydroelectric plant are non-functional due to mechanical problems, and the Power Department is planning their repairs,” he informed.

Dr. Saha also highlighted the role of the Lift Irrigation (LI) Scheme and drinking water treatment plants in supporting agricultural irrigation. “Many small and medium farmlands near the Gomti River are dependent on the water flowing over the hydroelectric turbines. These schemes are essential for irrigation,” he added.

Concluding his response, the Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to addressing the issue and assured that the government would take necessary steps after consulting with the concerned departments.