Savita Kumari & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Feb 25: While Swaraj Dweep Island is now in news because of the forthcoming visit of the President of India to Swaraj Dweep from 27 February to 1st March 2021, some parts of the Island is presently facing scarcity of water, which has not been reported by any media till now.
According to Mr. Ajit Kumar Roy, since last nearly two weeks some areas of Swaraj Dweep, erstwhile Havelock Island, have been facing scarcity of water.
He told Andaman Sheekha that in some areas the villagers of Swaraj Dweep are receiving the water, once in three days and now it is scheduled once in four days.
He further added that people of jetty area of Swaraj Dweep and no. 2, 4, 6 villages are also facing water scarcity.
Accepting the fact, a government official connected to water supply told Andaman Sheekha that only the areas close to Swaraj Dweep jetty are facing this problem.
Further he also said that the island has water treatment plants in which they get water from three major water sources through which APWD supplies water to the villagers, but out of those three, one water source has dried up, because of which, water scarcity is being felt by public.
The government official, who does not want his name to be quoted, added that the APWD has asked for private water tankers to supply water, which might happen soon.
Also when Andaman Sheekha Daily contacted another senior officer of APWD, he said that one water source has dried up and tendering process for supply of water through water tankers is on the progress.
He assured that after the visit of President of India, by 5th March the problem will be resolved and water will be distributed with the help of water tankers.
“We are also planning to dig up a well, which will solve the problem permanently and it will be helpful in future too. Tourists have also started coming to Swaraj Dweep and hence we will solve this problem as soon as possible,” he added.
