Chief Minister N. Rangasamy on Monday said the government was planning to establish a desalination plant with a capacity of 30 million litres a day (MLD) in Kalapet.
He made the announcement on an attention motion called by P.M.L. Kalyanasundaram on the suffering of the people of the Kalapet Assembly constituency due to shortage of drinking water and the action to be taken by the government to arrange for conversion of sea water into drinking water.
The Chief Minister said the Ground Water Authority had stated that in the area from Pillaichavadi to Ganapathichittikulam, the usage of ground water for agriculture purposes had decreased considerably.
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Hence, there was minimum level of seawater intrusion into the borewells. The level of seawater intrusion was less in Kalapet compared to the southern part of Puducherry. The Authority had also suggested that top priority be accorded to rainwater harvesting to improve the groundwater level.
Mr. Rangasamy said that aiming to fulfil the drinking water needs of people of Kalapet in 30 years, the government transferred 1.18 hectare revenue land to the Public Works Department in 2012 for setting up a desalination plant.
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As per a feasibility study, the government will have to spend Rs.54.75 crore to execute the desalination plant.
He said the cost would be 10 times higher for setting up a desalination plant. However, he added that after analysing the feasibilities, the project would be implemented so as to cater to the water needs of Kalapet, besides supplying the surplus to other parts of Puducherry.
Laying of pipesMr. Rangasamy said the government would seek permission from Tamil Nadu government to lay pipelines from Pillaichavadi to Kottakuppam in Tamil Nadu.
The scheme would be executed after obtaining the necessary financial assistance from the Union government with private participation.