Agartala: Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) sought the attention of Tripura government and Ministry of External Affairs against an embankment raised by Bangladesh in the Akhaura area.
The embankment prevents the free flow of water from Agartala, causing an apprehension of severe water logging in the city during the monsoon.
AMC Mayor and BJP MLA Dipak Majumder on Thursday said a dam being constructed on the Kalapania canal, which connects the Akhaura and Katakhal canals of Agartala, by Bangladesh a little ahead of the Indo-Bangladesh border, has been obstructing proper drainage of accumulated rainwater, causing a sudden increase in mosquitoes, leading to a rise in vector-borne diseases.
The drain water of Agartala city is unable to flow out through the Kalapania canal as Bangladesh is not opening the gate of an embankment located in Akhaura ahead of the international border, Majumder said and added, “Obstruction in free-flow of water in the canals breeding mosquitoes in the dry spell but as soon as rain will start entire city will be facing water-logging.”
Geographically, Agartala is on an upper elevation than Bangladesh and both the major canals were the only ways of bringing essential commodities before Independence via the then East Pakistan. After Independence, there was water connectivity between two countries through Akhaura and Katakhal canals, which have been the main water evacuation means of the city.
With the pace of development and massive urbanisation, the canals became shrunk and lost navigation. After city population increased, AMC installed a sewerage treatment plant in Indian side to treat the drain water before releasing it to Bangladesh canal. However, the recent obstruction and non-cooperation from Bangladesh created a hostile situation on the border.
“We have taken up the matter at the local level across the border several times but to no effect. It requires the intervention of the central government to save Agartala city from the critical situation during monsoon. The Chief Minister, also holding the portfolio of Urban Development, has been requested to take up the matter at an appropriate level,” said a senior official of AMC.
Besides, littering in the drains has emerged as another problem for drainage in the city although cleaning workers have been cleaning the drains daily basis, but dumping garbage indiscriminately, causing water stagnation, which leads to mosquito breeding, the officer said adding, “We are working to control the mosquito population by spreading medicines, cleaning drains, and other scientific intervention, unless citizens support it will not successful.”
