Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr Manik Saha on Friday said he is contemplating the use of water from the Titas River for supplying drinking water to all 51 wards of the Agartala Municipal Corporation.

Dr Saha said this after inaugurating the Vivekananda Township Project at Kaman Chowmuhani, Agartala.

He said that there were several obstacles during the construction of the 48 flats.

 “Our government is transparent and we are working for the betterment of the people. These flats are for the lower-income group, middle-income group, and higher-income group. We were waiting to hand over the keys to the flat owners, and now we have done it. I want to thank TUDA for constructing such flats in the heart of Agartala,” said Dr Saha. He added that these flats are earthquake-resistant.

“We are working for development, and there is no talk without development. From January till August, we have inaugurated and laid foundation stones worth Rs 800 crore. This is what the BJP-led government is about. We have formed TUDA to construct beautiful buildings for comfortable living. We have also given permission for high-rise buildings by following all rules,” he said.

Dr Saha further informed that the main aim of TUDA is to build modern flats for economically weaker and middle-class people.

 “We are also constructing roads. Another project of 216 flats at a cost of around Rs 96 crore is underway near the Bhagat Singh Youth Hostel. It is expected to be completed by March next year,” he said.

The Chief Minister also said he has requested the Centre to remove the cap on loan amounts for externally aided projects.

 “There are many states where such a cap does not exist. But in our case, due to many ongoing development works, we are facing issues because of this cap,” he said.

He also informed that work on preparing GIS master plans for 20 urban areas of the state is underway. The master plan for Agartala city is already about 70% complete and development projects worth around Rs 530 crore have been undertaken in the first phase of the Mukhyamantri Nagar Unnayan Prakalp with the help of ADB.

Speaking about the drinking water issue, Dr Saha said, “The water of the Haora river, Kalapania, or Katakhal canal mix with the Titas River in Bangladesh. I have good knowledge of the Titas River. I have proposed that water from the Titas River be supplied to the 51 wards of Agartala Municipal Corporation as drinking water. Proposals have been given, and if everything goes as planned, we will raise this matter with the Centre so that we can provide iron-free water. We are working on this,” he added.