Agartala, November 17: In a significant step to address the acute water crisis that grips rural Tripura every dry season, two newly procured drinking water tanker vehicles were distributed on Monday for residents of Mungiakami and Tulasikhar blocks in Khowai district—regions that face repeated shortages due to drying water sources.
The initiative has been implemented through convergent funding from the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) and the 15th Finance Commission’s Tied Grants, aimed at ensuring safe water transportation and reducing dependence on unsafe sources that often trigger outbreaks of waterborne diseases among indigenous communities.
For years, during the dry season, water sources in remote villages of Tulasikhar and Mungiakami blocks shrink dramatically. Earlier, the respective block administrations managed the crisis by supplying limited quantities of water through small vehicles to meet the urgent needs of residents. With families forced to rely on contaminated streams and makeshift water points, health risks increased sharply, and villagers—especially women—were often seen blocking roads in protest demanding for supply of clean drinking water.
To reduce the hardship faced by people during this difficult period, Lok Sabha member Kriti Devi Debbarma utilized MPLAD funds to procure two dedicated drinking water tanker vehicles.
During a programme held at the Khowai District Magistrate’s office, the tankers were officially handed over for service in the region in the presence of East Tripura BJP MP Kriti Devi Debbarma and other dignitaries.
The tankers will transport water directly from supply points to neighbourhoods across the two blocks.
MP Debbarma flagged off the new vehicles and formally handed them over to Tulasikhar and Mungiakami block authorities, expressing confidence that the tankers, along with the distributed water storage tanks, will significantly ease the crisis during the upcoming dry months.
Calling the initiative a crucial step in safeguarding public health and ensuring water security in remote indigenous areas, she further assured that similar measures will soon be introduced in other water-scarce regions of the state.
She reaffirmed the commitment to resolving long-standing drinking water shortages and strengthening rural water supply systems across Tripura.
