Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 04th March 2023
Executive Engineer, Public Health Engineering Division, APWD, Prothrapur, through a Press Release, has informed the general public that due to the deficit in monsoon in 2022-23, the water at all sources in South Andaman, including Dhanikhari Dam has depleted substantially. The Press Release further informed that a 30% curtailment in the quantity of water has become inevitable until the next South West Monsoon arrives in May/June 2023.
The Press Release also informed that in the jurisdiction of PBMC and areas where PHED supplies water, water supply shall be made once in three days, w.e.f 09th of March 2023, instead of the alternate day schedule followed at present.
All consumers have been requested to cooperate with the department and bear with any inconvenience that may be caused. The general public has also been requested to save water as much as possible and adopt conservation measures.
Islanders from all sections of society have opposed the move by APWD to curtail the water supply from alternate days to once in three days on social media.
Islanders are questioning APWD on the Rutland Water Project’s status and the claims made over time through the official mouthpiece of the Administration.
Many Islanders have also blamed the Administration for doing nothing over the years to solve the water crisis during the peak summer months in South Andaman District.
Over the years, APWD and the Administration have made tall claims, but almost every year, water supply is curtailed in South Andaman District during the peak summer months.