Despite desalination projects being very expensive, the state government is mulling over the possibility of setting up plants that convert seawater into clean water.
Despite desalination projects being very expensive, the state government is mulling over the possibility of setting up plants that convert seawater into clean water. The state government will soon prepare a project report on desalination plants, said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
“It is said that next World Wars will be fought on the issue of water. However, the scarcity of water is now only creating a divide between urban and rural areas. To tackle the problem of water shortage, the state government needs to take comprehensive measures. Though cost of desalination plants is very high, the state government is contemplating over setting up these plants,” said the chief minister while replying to a discussion in the state legislative council on Friday.
The issue was raised by independent legislator Dr Apoorva Hire, who said that the state government must consider setting up desalination plants in the state. “There are three desalination plants in Chennai. In countries like Mauritius, there is no river and they are solely dependent on seawater,” he said.
Replying to him, Mr Fadnavis said, the state government would soon call a meeting to discuss the matter of preparing a project report of desalination plants.
However, water expert T.V. Shah has warned that the concept of desalination was not feasible.
“In Mumbai, people are charged about Rs 4 per 1,000 litres. But the cost of water procured from desalination plants is very high, about Rs 50 per 1,000 litres. It is affordable not only for common people, but also for industries. Instead, the state must think of other options like reuse of water or converting sewage water into clean water.”
