The government decision to set up reverse osmosis plants has come as a boon to the people in the coastal and other water-starved areas across the State as the officials could ensure uninterrupted supply of clean water to them, said Fisheries Minister K.A. Jeyapal.
Inaugurating a Reverse Osmosis plant at Thirukannangudi in Keezvelur union in the district on Saturday, the Minister said the Government had been implementing various integrated drinking water projects in different parts of the State, particularly in the coastal districts, including the tail-end areas of delta region to quench the thirst of the people. Moreover, the intensive drive taken up by the Government to set up rainwater harvesting structures had improved the water table. This had made it possible to step up drilling of borewells wherever needed, said the Minister.
Collector S. Palanisamy said the Government had allocated Rs. 1.76 crore for setting up reverse osmosis plants at a cost of Rs. 4 lakh each in 44 places in different parts of the district, including 10 plants in Nagapattinam, four plants each in Keeliyur, Thalaignayiru, and Vedaranyam, two plants in Sirkazhi, three plants in Sembanarkovil, eight plants in Keezvelur, and nine plants in Kollidam. Work on setting up 40 plants had been completed and made operational for the people. However, the officials had been asked to expedite the work of remaining four plants at the earliest.
Nagai Mali, MLA, attended the inaugural function at Thirukkannangudi.
