MMRDA to study desalination plants’ feasibility

The diminishing resources of potable water are forcing the state government to look at setting up desalination plants in the city.

The diminishing resources of potable water are forcing the state government to look at setting up desalination plants in the city.

HT Image

The chief minister has asked the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to conduct a feasibility study based on the technology and cost required for setting up a plant.

The chief minister visited a desalination plant in Singapore to observe the mechanism of the technology.

“We have been asked by the chief minister to undertake a techno feasibility study and scout for a probable location for setting up a desalination plant that will cater to the needs of the metropolitan region,” MMRDA Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad said.

The MMRDA is looking at areas over seven hectares where plants with a processing capacity of a minimum 100 MLD can be set up. According to rough estimates, it costs about Rs 4.5 crore to set up a desalination plant with a processing capacity of one MLD (millilitre per day).

“We are tentatively thinking of setting up three desalination plants with a capacity of 500 MLD. But everything depends on the report that we will be commissioning,” Gaikwad said.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is contemplating setting up its own desalination plant. The civic body had submitted a letter to the Central government, early this year, seeking funds for setting up a plant that could process 100 MLD of water.