MAYABUNDER | OCTOBER 26, 2026 | DWEEP TULIKA | ANDAMAN NEWS

Residents of Birsa Nagar and Tugapur No. 8 villages under Pahalgaon Gram Panchayat are currently receiving untreated water from five spring sources, according to a letter issued by the Office of the Tehsildar, Mayabunder, in response to a public grievance over drinking-water supply.

The letter, dated October 22, 2026, was submitted in connection with Grievance No. ORO/PB/2026-27/068, filed by Our Rights Organization on October 8, 2026. It was addressed to the Assistant Director (Administration), Office of the Deputy Commissioner, North and Middle Andaman District.

Untreated Water Supplied from Five Spring Sources

According to the report cited in the Tehsildar’s letter, the two areas are being supplied with raw water from five different spring sources because no Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is available in the area.

The letter states that regular cleaning of check weirs and chlorination are being carried out to maintain water quality. However, some turbidity in the supplied water has reportedly been observed, attributed in the letter to old pipelines.

The document does not provide water-quality test results or specify the extent of the reported turbidity.

Water Treatment Plant Proposed for Tugapur No. 8

The letter states that, in response to public demand for a Water Treatment Plant at Tugapur No. 8, the Deputy Commissioner, North and Middle Andaman District, has directed the preparation of a detailed estimate for the proposed project.

The estimate was still under preparation at the time of the letter, according to the report submitted by the concerned department.

Project Not Included in Current Annual Plan

The Tehsildar’s letter further states that the proposed work had not been included in the current Annual Plan and Priority List.

A proposal has subsequently been submitted for consideration of the Water Treatment Plant project in place of another work included in the Priority List, with the stated objective of ensuring treated and safe drinking water for residents of Birsa Nagar and Tugapur No. 8 villages.

The letter does not confirm whether the proposal has been approved, whether funding has been allocated or when construction could begin.

Response to Public Grievance

The communication was issued in response to a grievance filed by Our Rights Organization concerning drinking-water supply in the affected villages. The Tehsildar forwarded the departmental report for the information of the Assistant Director (Administration) and further necessary action.

The correspondence outlines the current water-supply arrangements and the administrative steps being pursued for a proposed treatment facility. The timeline for approval and implementation remains unclear from the document.

Source: Office of the Tehsildar, Mayabunder, letter dated October 22, 2026.