Agartala, March 27, 2025: Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Thursday revealed that the state government had submitted a detailed concept paper for the “Dredging and Rejuvenation” of the Howrah River, amounting to Rs. 145.71 crore, to the Department of Jal Shakti, Government of India, on December 8, 2020. The proposal, supported by Agartala Smart City Limited, is currently under Techno-Economic Appraisal and Feasibility Study, with final approval pending based on feasibility assessments.
The Chief Minister made the statement during the fifth day of the state assembly’s budget session, responding to a calling attention notice raised by BJP MLA and Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) Mayor Dipak Majumder, who sought immediate intervention to enhance the navigability of the Howrah River.
Elaborating on the significance of the Howrah River, CM Dr. Saha stated, “The Howrah is one of the ten major rivers of Tripura, along with Juri, Deo, Manu, Dhalai, Khowai, Burima (Vijay River), Gomati, Muhuri, and Feni. It originates from the western edge of the Baramura Hill Range and flows westward, merging with the Titas River in Bangladesh.”
According to official data, the total length of the Howrah River is 61.20 km, out of which 52 km flows within India, while 9.2 km falls within Bangladesh. The catchment area of the river in Tripura stands at 488 sq km, with 50 sq km in the hills and 438 sq km in the plains.
Dr. Saha expressed concern over rampant pollution and unregulated human activities along the riverbanks, which have significantly altered the river’s morphology. “Since the early 20th century, the river’s flow has been changing. Increased usage for drinking water, agriculture, and other activities in Agartala and surrounding areas has put immense pressure on the river,” he remarked.
Unplanned construction of roads, embankments, bridge piers, and causeways, along with sand mining, solid waste disposal, deforestation, and soil erosion, have worsened the situation. The CM warned, “Due to continuous silt accumulation and garbage dumping, the water-holding capacity of the river has decreased drastically. Even a small amount of rainfall now leads to major flooding in Agartala.”
To mitigate flood risks and restore the Howrah River’s navigability, the PWD (Water Resources Division) has proposed a Rs. 248 crore project to construct embankments with flood walls and safety reinforcements along a 9.33 km stretch from the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) fencing to Devta Chera Bridge at Chandrapur. The project will be executed under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode once funds are allocated.
Additionally, a special clean-up drive is currently underway to remove silt, garbage, and debris from the riverbed and banks, expected to be completed in six months.
The Chief Minister also emphasized the need for public cooperation, stating, “It is crucial to create awareness among citizens to prevent further pollution. Unregulated dumping of waste into the river must stop. Moreover, encroachments on the riverbanks need to be removed to protect the river’s navigability.”
The government awaits final approval from the Department of Jal Shakti to begin large-scale dredging and rejuvenation works. Meanwhile, local authorities continue to implement short-term interventions to mitigate immediate risks posed by the deteriorating state of the Howrah River.
