Agartala: Feb 18:
Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha announced a bold goal to achieve 80% irrigation coverage of cultivable land in the state over the next few years. He shared this vision at the 2nd All India State Water Ministers Conference 2025 in Udaipur, Rajasthan, where he highlighted the state’s efforts to improve agricultural productivity and address flood risks.
Dr. Saha described Tripura as a predominantly hilly state with 70% of its area covered by forests, where over 25% of the land is cultivable. Currently, 47% of cultivable land has irrigation coverage, and the government aims to increase this figure to 80% in the coming years. Due to the state’s fast-flowing rivers and limited water storage capacity, Dr. Saha explained that surface water irrigation projects are less feasible. Instead, the state is focusing on rainwater storage and minor irrigation dams, with 98 minor irrigation projects planned to cover 30,000 hectares, 14 of which are already underway.
Tripura is also blessed with abundant groundwater resources, which the state utilizes minimally—only 9.48% compared to the national average. To enhance groundwater use, deep tube wells have been installed for irrigation and drinking water purposes. Under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch The Rain, the state has significantly increased its groundwater resources, from 1.063 billion cubic meters in 2023 to 1.18 billion cubic meters in 2024.
Dr. Saha further outlined the state’s water conservation efforts, such as rainwater harvesting, watershed development, and afforestation, with over 45,000 water structures created. The Jal Jeevan Mission has provided tap water to 85% of rural households, and the government aims for 100% coverage by September 2025. Additionally, urban areas will benefit from water supply projects funded by the ADB under AMRUT 2.0.
In flood mitigation, the government has constructed 43 flood protection embankments and is addressing riverbank erosion, preparing a comprehensive water management action plan for 2047.
