Water supply has resumed in the city since last night

Agartala, Feb 26 (UNI) Drinking water supply has resumed in the city since last night, after three days of suspension owing to pollution in the Howrah river.

People had, earlier, fallen ill and at least 10 had been admitted to the hospital after drinking the polluted water from the Howrah river. The river water was, reportedly, polluted by chemicals disposed from a paint factory in Kashipur. The owner of the factory was arrested and held in police custody for two weeks.

The water was sent to Kolkata to test for poisonous substances, if any. The test report, released last night, said that the water is now fit for consumption.

The river water was sent to South Raipur water treatment plant West Bengal, approved by the UNESCO, for testing on February 24 morning. Last night, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar held talks with West Bengal Public Health Minister Gautam Deb in this connection and had requested him to send the report as early as possible.

Tripura Public Health Engineering, Environment, Science and Technology Minister Badal Chowdhury said there is no such unit in the state. He, however, assured that such centres would be set up soon. Two main water treatment plants were shut down and water supply suspended since Friday, and all tanks were cleaned as a precautionery measure.

UNI