Editorial: Water Crisis: Time to take concrete steps to solve this issue for good

The water crisis in Andaman Nicobar Island has been a persistent issue for decades. Every year, from January to May, Islanders witness a huge water crisis, which is then tackled with a lot of effort and resources. However, as soon as the monsoon arrives, all efforts and resources are forgotten, and the issue is left unresolved for the next year.
This year, the Islanders have once again demanded concrete steps from the administration to solve the water crisis issue. People are demanding the constitution of a Jal Board department, dedicated to water supply, so that throughout the year, the department can work towards augmenting water supply in all the islands and create more water bodies to prevent the crisis.
The Islanders are also demanding the construction of massive ponds in all remote pockets of Andaman and Nicobar island where the water crisis is more severe. These massive water bodies can be utilized to supply water through tankers to affected areas during the dry season.
It is high time that the administration takes this issue seriously and constitutes a special committee to find out where more water bodies can be constructed for Andaman and Nicobar island. Dependence on only one water source, the Dhanikhari Dam, can be dangerous in the future, especially considering the fact that we are in a very active seismic zone, which is zone five.
The issue of water crisis is not just limited to Port Blair, but many other islands are also facing severe water crisis during this time. Therefore, it is imperative that the administration takes concrete steps to solve this issue for good.
Islanders urge the administration to take immediate action and constitute a Jal Board department dedicated to water supply, construct massive ponds in all remote pockets of Andaman and Nicobar island, and find alternative water sources to prevent dependency on only one water source. It is time to end the persistent water crisis in Andaman Nicobar Island and provide the Islanders with a sustainable solution for their water needs.