Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 28 January 2024
In a bid to address the pressing water needs of Port Blair City, Member of Parliament for Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, has formally requested the Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands for the expedited execution of the Stage-II proposal of the Rutland Water Supply Project.
Highlighting the significant achievement of the project’s Stage-I, completed in December 2021, Sharma expressed the urgency of moving forward with Stage-II to meet the escalating demand for water in the region. The Stage-I accomplishment saw the delivery of a crucial 6.60 Million Litres of water daily from Rutland to Pongi Balu – Dhanikhari Dam, providing essential relief to the burgeoning water requirements of Port Blair City.
Despite the success of Stage-I, Sharma emphasized the persistent challenges posed by the consistent increase in both fixed and floating population in Port Blair, coupled with rapid developmental activities in and around the city. The rising demand for water has already led to water curtailment by the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD) this year.
Furthermore, Sharma pointed out that with the recent inauguration of Port Blair’s International airport, tourism is expected to receive a significant boost, leading to a manifold increase in the demand for water.
In light of these considerations, Sharma proposed the immediate consideration and execution of Stage-II of the Rutland Water Supply Project. The proposed Stage-II involves tapping into five untapped perennial water sources on the Eastern side of Rutland, with a cumulative discharge capacity of 10 Million Litres per Day (MLD).
Seeking the intervention and support of the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, Sharma urged the prioritization of the Stage-II proposal to ensure its swift execution. He stressed that this step is crucial to mitigating the water demand in Port Blair City, especially during the critical summer months from January to May, guaranteeing an adequate water supply for the general public.
As the region braces for increased population and tourism, the timely execution of Stage-II is deemed imperative to secure a sustainable water supply for the next 15-20 years in Port Blair City. The MP remains optimistic that the Hon’ble Lt. Governor’s support will pave the way for the successful implementation of this vital water supply project.