Sri Vijaya Puram, April 24: During a visit on April 18, 2026, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary (PWD), Dr. Sachin Shinde, IAS, accompanied by the Chief Engineer, APWD, and other officials, identified a natural pond in the Caddlegunj area with an approximate storage capacity of 6 million litres as a potential water source.
Recognizing the need to augment water supply in the area, the Commissioner directed the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD) to take necessary steps to treat and integrate the pond water into the existing drinking water supply network for Caddlegunj. In compliance, APWD promptly initiated action to tap the identified source.
Subsequently, concerns were raised by local residents regarding the use of pond water for drinking purposes. To address these apprehensions, a team comprising the Chief Engineer, APWD, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (South Andaman), and other APWD engineers visited the site and held discussions with public representatives from the village, neighboring areas, and members of the local community.
During the interaction, officials assured residents that all necessary treatment processes would be strictly followed, including removal of suspended impurities, chlorination, and regular laboratory testing to ensure that the water meets prescribed quality standards for safe consumption.
The dialogue was conducted in a transparent and constructive manner, resulting in the resolution of public concerns and a consensus among stakeholders for the utilization of the pond water.
This initiative is expected to significantly augment the water supply in the Caddlegunj area, which has been facing scarcity due to the lack of sustainable water sources in the vicinity.
The Andaman & Nicobar Administration remains committed to ensuring safe, reliable, and uninterrupted drinking water supply across the islands.