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.
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“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.