Water crisis grips Diglipur in North Andaman Residents blame impromptu APWD for the disorder

DJ Venkatesh
Diglipur, Aug 23: Even as Diglipur is home to the large perennial water source in the North and Middle Andaman district, Kalpong river, impromptu Andaman Public Works Department has forced residents of the region to cope with water crisis this rainy season. Water supply timings have been reduced to 15-20 minutes from the earlier scheduled one hour recently and unsystematic supply timings is causing countless miseries to residents of Diglipur and adjoining areas, according to sources.
According to reports, the APWD Division draws water from Navin Nagar area under Diglipur Panchayat and pumped to Treatment Plants in area. But the Treatment plant has been suffering from shortage of storage tanks for the last 40-50 years. Moreover, the water is pumped through a single pipeline installed at Kalpong river. As the river changes its course of flow, sediment deposits are cleared using excavators without valid permission. The Apex Court rules that excavators should not be used at river beds. But the practice has been continuing unabated for the last 10 years.
The suction pipelines are located about 200 mtrs away from the pumping station whereas a stable river site located 100 mtrs from the pumping station from where water can be drawn easily has not been considered worth utilisation by the authorities for unknown reason. Moreover, use of GI pipes, MS Pipes, sheets and asbestos by the APWD for changing the course of the river flow is having an adverse effect on the nearby landed properties. According to sources, landslides have been reported at several places near the site and the main road at RG Gram has developed cracks at several locations.
When Andaman Sheekha contacted the Executive Engineer of APWD regarding the progress of the Khudirampur Dam project, the official refused to part with any information. While the Khudimpur project for drinking water and irrigation is yet to take off due to environment clearances from the concerned agencies, the Andaman Public Works Department should formulate a constructive plan to address the water supply issues in Diglipur region.