Agartala, 2nd May 2026: Residents of East Kalabaria Gram Panchayat’s Maichhara Binapani Club area staged a road blockade yesterday, protesting against an acute shortage of drinking water that has persisted for over ten days.
Locals allege that frequent power outages have disrupted supply from the treatment plant, leaving households without regular access to potable water. Although authorities promised to deliver water by tankers as an alternative, residents claim the arrangement has been inconsistent and has now nearly stopped.
The crisis has forced families to travel long distances to collect water, a burden particularly harsh on women, children, and the elderly. Frustration boiled over as villagers, carrying pitchers and buckets, blocked the Bilonia–Santirbazar road, causing traffic disruption and congestion for nearly 20 minutes.
Protesters accused the Panchayat of failing to take effective measures and criticized the absence of local representatives during the prolonged crisis. Panchayat Chief Sahadev Das arrived at the site and assured residents that water would be supplied regularly by tankers until a permanent solution is found. Following his assurance, the blockade was lifted and normalcy restored.
However, demonstrators warned that they would launch a larger agitation if timely and adequate water supply is not ensured. They demanded the establishment of a separate treatment plant in the area to resolve the issue permanently.
Das admitted that the Panchayat is struggling due to limited departmental support, with only two vehicles currently available for water distribution across the region. He emphasized the urgent need for additional resources to strengthen temporary measures.
The focus now shifts to the concerned department, as residents await a long-term resolution to a crisis that has severely disrupted daily life.
