Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 07 May 2024
In a bid to tackle the growing potable water crisis in Port Blair and outskirts, Member of Parliament Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has urged the Hon’ble Lt. Governor to extend Stage – I of the Rutland Water Supply Project and initiate Stage – II. The move aims to secure a total of 22.60 Million Liters per Day (MLD) of water from Rutland, a significant increase from the existing 6.60 MLD.
In a letter addressed to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, the Member of Parliament commended the Administration for its proactive approach in addressing the water demand in Port Blair City during peak summer months. He highlighted the efforts made by the A & N Administration in implementing feasible and viable proposals to alleviate the potable water crisis.
The MP noted that the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD) is currently undertaking a project worth Rs. 22 Crore to enhance water availability by tapping into five additional untapped perennial water sources on the western side of Rutland. This initiative aims to augment the water supply by 6.0 MLD, bringing the total to 12.60 MLD from the western side alone.
However, the MP emphasized the necessity of simultaneously laying an additional 1.70 km of 300 mm dia. carbon steel Submarine pipeline from RM point in Rutland to Pongi Balu. This infrastructure upgrade would facilitate the gravity transportation of the excess available 6.0 MLD of water from the newly tapped sources.
Concerns were raised regarding the capacity of the existing submarine pipeline, which was designed to carry only 6.60 MLD of water. The MP warned that forcing a total of 12.60 MLD of water through the existing pipeline would lead to abrasion and degradation, jeopardizing its integrity within five years, despite having a service life of 25 years.
Highlighting the potential futility of investing solely in augmenting water sources without expanding the pipeline infrastructure, the MP stressed the importance of laying the additional submarine pipeline to ensure the effective utilization of the increased water supply from Rutland.
Furthermore, the MP pointed out the untapped potential on the eastern side of Rutland, where an additional 10 MLD of water could be made available for the general populace of Port Blair City through the tapping of five more perennial water sources.
The appeal from the Member of Parliament underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the potable water crisis in Port Blair and Outskirts, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure development alongside water source augmentation to meet the growing demand in the region.