Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 30: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration is preparing a series of measures to strengthen water availability ahead of the summer months, including diversion of water from relatively water-rich areas to deficit zones and development of new local sources such as ponds, check-weirs and borewells.
The measures were discussed during a high-level review meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dinesh Sharma at Lok Niwas on Tuesday, following an assessment of the Islands’ current water position.
Officials presented a detailed assessment covering the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council area, surrounding rural areas of South Andaman and the districts of North and Middle Andaman and Nicobar. The assessment examined available water resources, potential shortages in the coming months and measures proposed under the Water Action Plan.
The situation has assumed significance due to deficient rainfall during the current monsoon and the previous northeast monsoon. Water levels in major sources, including Dhanikhari Dam, have also been declining.
Against this backdrop, Dr. Sharma directed departments to implement all short-term measures on priority and ensure that adequate water availability is maintained before summer.
A major focus of the review was reducing dependence on existing sources by adopting a decentralised approach. Departments were instructed to develop viable additional sources, including ponds, check-weirs and borewells, which can supplement existing supplies and provide localised solutions in areas vulnerable to shortages.
The Lieutenant Governor specifically directed officials to examine the possibility of diverting water from sources such as Burmanallah, Lal Mitti and Junjunallah to areas facing water deficits. New water-supply schemes for such diversion are to be taken up on a war footing and made operational before the summer season.
At the same time, officials have been instructed to conserve water available in Dhanikhari Dam and other sources wherever possible so that existing reserves can be used during the period of peak demand.
The Administration is also looking at rainwater harvesting as an important component of the response. Dr. Sharma directed departments to intensify the development of ponds and other rainwater-harvesting structures, particularly in the southern islands of Kamorta, Chowra and Nancowrie and in vulnerable parts of North and Middle Andaman.
These areas experience recurring summer shortages, partly due to limited storage capacity. A comprehensive action plan is to be prepared covering affected villages with the stated objective of eliminating recurring summer water shortages.
The review also considered the need to match future water supply with expected demand. Dr. Sharma directed officials to ensure that planning takes into account population growth and future infrastructure development, including expansion of tourism.
Several long-term projects were consequently brought under administrative monitoring. These include Guptapara, Maccapahad, Rutland Phase-III and Koila Nallah in South Andaman, besides Korang Nallah and Khudirampur Dam in North and Middle Andaman.
The departments have been asked to expedite the preparation and submission of Detailed Project Reports so that the projects can proceed towards approval and funding.
The proposed Guptapara project has a capacity of 4,000 million litres, while Maccapahad is proposed at 9,000 million litres. Given the recurring water shortages in South Andaman, the Administration has been directed to seek revision of the DPR preparation timeline from the Central Water Commission and complete the process within 12 months instead of 18 months.
Rutland Phase-III proposes to integrate five natural springs in eastern Rutland and provide an additional 10 MLD of water. Its proposal is targeted for submission by December 2027.
The Flat Bay water-supply scheme, estimated at 11,000 million litres, is also to be finalised and submitted to the Ministry for assessment and determination of suitable funding sources.
Alongside infrastructure, the Lieutenant Governor has called for greater public participation in water conservation. Information, Education and Communication programmes will be undertaken to encourage conservation, recycling and reuse, reduction of domestic consumption and use of harvested rainwater for non-domestic purposes.
Officials of the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council and APWD were directed to ensure that water supply remains unaffected in the coming months despite deficient rainfall and prevailing climatic conditions.
The Administration has also been instructed to respond promptly to public grievances and ensure timely completion of ongoing water-supply works. Senior officers may conduct surprise inspections to monitor progress and quality.
The approach outlined during the review combines immediate conservation, redistribution of available resources and creation of new sources, with the larger objective of reducing the Islands’ vulnerability to seasonal water shortages.
