PR / Our Bureau
Agartala, May 16, 2019: Various parts of Tripura especially Agartala city experienced heavy thunderstorm accompanied by a strong gust of wind and rains. Taking proactive cognisance Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb held extensive discussion with Chief Secretary last evening following which a series of measures were initiated to provide immediate relief to the citizens of the state.
Under the leadership of the Biplab Kumar Deb the state government is at the forefront of ensuring timely and effective mitigation of any disaster situation in Tripura as has been evident during the past 14 months.
Waterlogging issue, especially in Agartala city, got aggravated due to the ongoing work of drainage in the city. During the review meeting held today Chief Secretary has instructed the agency undertaking this project that all drainage related works shall be undertaken only after the monsoon season thereby ensuring that drains do not get clogged and the monsoon rainwater can get a clear passage route leading to huge relief for the citizens. Similar action is also going to be undertaken on all drainage related works undertaken by PWD and R&B Dept. apart from Urban Development Dept.
The electricity transmission facilities were disturbed due to the extremely strong gusts of wind that blew through the city last evening. The state suffers severely in this regard due to the poor quality of transformers having been installed during the Left rule across the state which frequently cause disruption in supplying electricity to common people. CM and CS discussed this issue and corrective action was initiated last evening itself by the officials.
The Office of Deputy Chief Minister who is also the Power Minister of the state directed the officials to take prompt and necessary action to ensure that power facilities are brought back and made operational at the earliest. The attached document provides details of the electricity scenario of the majorly affected areas and the action taken during last 24 hours to redress the same.
The State Government of Tripura has already added 2 more water pumps to the existing tally of 12 pumps (taking it to 14) during last one year and the 14th pump in this regard shall become operational within next two days in the city. This measure shall ensure that in the future, in case such a situation arises, it shall be handled in a more proactive manner for sucking out water from the water logged areas.
A review meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary in order to review the relief measures undertaken during last 24 hours and for charting a disaster mitigation strategy for the future. Availability of qualified operators for each of the water pumps, ensuring captive power facility (so that even in case of failure of power supply, the pumps continue to function) and ensuring advanced self-primming (enhancing its effectiveness in removing water) of these motors shall be done was decided in this meeting.
Motorboats have also been made available for transporting the people who are stuck due to water-logging areas. Moreover, it was also informed by the District Administration, that the initial review of the houses damaged has been undertaken and interim relief is being provided to those whose houses have suffered damage. A new Control Room has also been decided to be set-up at the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) so that more effective coordination can be undertaken in case if such a situation arises in the Agartala city in the future.
Moreover Chief Minister also took cognisance of the large irregularities found in the following of prevailing traffic rules by citizens across the state. In this regard as directed by Chief Minister, a high-level review meeting is being conducted by the Chief Secretary tomorrow along with DG, Tripura Police and other senior officials concerned so as to carve out a robust strategy in order to ensure effective management of traffic in various parts of the state and also to ensure that traffic rules are made easy, effective and implementable in the best interest of the safety and protection of the citizens.