By Agartala Correspondent | Tripura 24.in
AGARTALA | May 16, 2026
AGARTALA: Marking a milestone in the integration of advanced technology with public infrastructure, Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha inaugurated the state-of-the-art State Data Centre of the Public Works Department (Water Resources) today. The inaugural ceremony took place at the Visvesvaraya Complex in Kunjaban, Agartala, at 11:00 AM, ushering in a new era of data-driven planning and disaster management for the state.
The high-tech facility, established under the central National Hydrology Project (NHP), aims to modernize groundwater monitoring, river flow assessment, and real-time flood control mechanisms across Tripura.
A Two-Phase Smart Project
The Chief Minister revealed that the establishment of this sophisticated monitoring hub is being carried out in structured financial phases to build a highly resilient technological infrastructure.
- Phase I Completed: Built with an expenditure of ₹4.67 crore under the initial phase of the National Hydrology Project (launched globally by PM Modi in 2016–17).
- Phase II Roadmap: An additional ₹4.50 crore has been earmarked for the second phase to further scale up database capabilities and remote sensor synchronization.
Core Objectives of the State Data Centre
The newly inaugurated hub will act as the central nervous system for Tripura’s water resource management, focusing on:
- Real-Time Flood Forecasting: Giving administrative bodies a massive advantage in tracking river levels and deploying early warning systems in vulnerable low-lying regions, including Agartala and the Gomati district.
- Groundwater Analysis: Digitally mapping underground water tables to curb over-exploitation and manage seasonal water stress.
- Scientific Irrigation Extension: Helping the agricultural sector scale up production by streamlining water distribution networks based on precise regional data.
“Technology is Key to Steady GDP Growth”: CM Manik Saha
Addressing the gathering of engineers, bureaucrats, and department officials, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha emphasized that the state’s agricultural success is directly tied to economic progress.
”Our state government is bringing reforms based on ground realities and blending modern technology into every sector. The accurate data generated from this center will be crucial for flood control and preventing severe river erosion. A higher agricultural yield ultimately impacts our state GDP, and this data center is a big milestone toward that target,” the Chief Minister stated.
The CM also lauded the Water Resources wing for its commendable historical performance, noting that out of roughly 2.55 lakh hectares of agricultural land in Tripura, irrigation coverage has successfully reached 1,23,754 hectares as of March 31, 2026.
Massive Infrastructure Expansion Announced
Looking ahead to mitigate climate and riverine challenges, Dr. Saha used the platform to announce a suite of ambitious engineering projects:
- 193 New Flood Control Projects: Approved to curb aggressive riverbank erosion across various districts.
- 34 Minor Irrigation Storage-cum-Harvesting Structures: Slated to be built at an estimated budget of ₹972 crore, adding another 6,137 hectares under the irrigation umbrella.
- Existing Resilience: The state already boasts a network of 42 dams spanning a total length of 152 kilometers for structural flood containment.
Administrative Reforms Underway
Aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s blueprint for tech-driven governance, the Chief Minister added that the state is aggressively introducing a three-tier e-office system to bring transparency, speed, and accountability to administrative file movements.
Dignitaries Present:
- Shri P.K. Goyal (IAS): Secretary, Public Works Department.
- Er. Sudhan Debbarma: Chief Engineer, PWD (Water Resources).
- Senior hydraulic engineers and digital project specialists from the National Hydrology Project cell.
