100 MLD Sea Water Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant at Nemmeli, Chennai

No: ----- Dated: Feb, 28 2014

100 MLD Sea Water Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant at Nemmeli, Chennai

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved central assistance of Rs. 871.246 crore towards construction of 100 MLD sea water desalination plant and external product water conveyance facilities in January, 2009 with the objective to augment 100 MLD water supply to the southern part of Chennai city as well as to meet industrial demand. The plant has been commissioned in February, 2013 and is supplying water to the beneficiaries.

During implementation of the project, it was decided by the State Government for laying a separate feeder main from Nemmeli plant to Porur with a view to provide water supply to the western part of Chennai city, particularly during a drought situation due to failure of monsoon. This work is in progress and likely to be completed shortly. The revised project cost has been estimated to the tune of Rs. 854.52 crore.

Chennai is an important economic centre in the country and has been fast developing as an IT hub. Drinking water supply sources of Chennai city are monsoon dependent and the city experiences water scarcity frequently. In order to provide drinking water security to Chennai city, water supply to Chennai city is made from the Poondi, Cholavaram, Red Hills lake system, Veeranam source and Krishna/Telugu Ganga scheme and a desalination plant at Minjur.