Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 19: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has moved ahead with plans to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for two proposed major water reservoirs at Guptapara and Maccapahad in Burmanallah, a step aimed at augmenting water availability and strengthening long-term water security for Sri Vijaya Puram and surrounding areas.
The proposed projects include the Guptapara Dam with a planned capacity of 4,000 million litres (ML) and the Maccapahad Dam with a planned capacity of 9,000 ML. Together, the two reservoirs are expected to create an additional water reserve of approximately 13,000 ML upon completion.
The plans come against the backdrop of continuing concerns over water availability in the capital city. Despite the completion of major projects, including the raising of the Dhanikhari Dam and the Rutland water supply project, Sri Vijaya Puram has experienced water shortages.
According to the information available, rapidly changing climatic conditions and the fast pace of development in the municipal area and its surrounding regions have added pressure on existing water resources.
To address future water requirements, the Administration has adopted a multi-pronged strategy focusing on decentralised development of water sources, revival and integration of older sources, and the development of new and larger water bodies.
Several smaller initiatives, including the development of ponds, check weirs and bore wells, along with their integration into local supply systems, have already been completed. These measures have improved water availability in smaller pockets and villages, according to the information provided.
The proposed Guptapara and Maccapahad reservoirs represent the next stage of the Administration’s efforts to augment water storage capacity for the capital region.
The two proposed dam sites were identified based on desktop studies conducted by the Central Water Commission (CWC). Following suggestions from a local representative, a team of engineers from the Central Water Commission’s Yamuna Basin Organisation, Faridabad, inspected the sites during 2025.
Following the inspection, a proposal was submitted for the preparation of DPRs for the two dams. The proposal was subsequently scrutinised and approved by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
A Memorandum of Understanding has now been signed between the Superintending Engineer (Planning) of the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD) and the Superintending Engineer (Planning) of the Central Water Commission for preparation of the DPRs.
The signing took place in the presence of T. K. Prijith Rekh, Chief Engineer, APWD, along with officials from APWD and the Central Water Commission.
The DPR preparation for the two projects is expected to take around 18 months. The actual construction work can begin only after the completion of the DPRs and after the projects receive the necessary administrative approval and expenditure sanction.
The Administration has estimated that the two reservoirs, once completed, would add approximately 13,000 ML of water storage. This proposed additional reserve would be more than 1.5 times the net reservoir capacity of the existing Dhanikhari Dam.
However, the projects remain at the DPR preparation stage, and the timeline for commencement or completion of construction has not been specified. The next immediate step will be the detailed preparation of project reports, following which the proposals would require further administrative and financial approvals before work can begin.
The proposed dams form part of the Administration’s broader strategy to expand and diversify water sources in response to increasing demand and changing climatic conditions.
With Sri Vijaya Puram and its surrounding areas continuing to expand, the proposed additional storage capacity is expected to play a significant role in planning for future water requirements. For now, the focus remains on preparing the DPRs for the two reservoirs and completing the technical groundwork required before the projects can move towards implementation.
