Port Blair: Despite weeks of heavy monsoon rainfall across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, residents in and around Port Blair continue to face an acute drinking water shortage, raising fresh questions about the management and monitoring of the region’s water distribution system. While the rains have replenished water sources and boosted levels in the Dhanikhari Dam, many households complain of irregular supply, low pressure and prolonged disruptions. Residents contend that the problem is no longer one of water availability but of inefficient distribution and inadequate oversight by the agencies concerned.
The issue was reviewed at a recent meeting chaired by Assistant Commissioner (South Andaman) and attended by representatives of the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council and Panchayati Raj Institutions. The meeting assessed the water situation and decided that the existing supply schedule would continue, with any enhancement to be considered once the Dhanikhari reservoir level reaches 62 metres. Officials also discussed measures to improve water availability in stressed areas, strengthen conservation efforts and undertake repairs to critical supply infrastructure. A comprehensive action plan for augmenting water resources and creating public awareness on water conservation was also proposed.
However, residents say conservation alone will not solve the recurring crisis. They point to poor monitoring, uneven distribution and infrastructure deficiencies as the primary reasons behind the persistent shortages.
As the Islands continue to receive substantial rainfall, the sight of overflowing drains and rain-soaked streets offers little comfort to residents struggling for drinking water. For many, the continuing crisis underscores a perennial problem: the challenge is not the availability of water, but ensuring that it reaches consumers efficiently and equitably.
