(a) whether the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has decided to establish a low cost desalination plant at Kavaratti in Lakshadweep Island;
(b) if so, the details of the plant and its cost effectiveness
(c) whether the Government proposes to establish such a plant in other coastal areas; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT(SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. National Institute of ocean Technology,Chennai has developed two laboratory scale desalination plants with a capacity of 500 litres per day and 5,000 litres per day, respectively based on Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) system. At present, the cost of production in the laboratory scale is approximately 90 paise per litre. However, the cost is expected to come down to around 25 paise per litre, once the 1,00,000 litres per day capacity desalination plant is commissioned at field.
(c ) & (d) After the demonstration of LTTD technology [at field, the same could either be transferred to the concerned Ministry or a suitable mechanism could be evolved by the Department for setting up of similar plants at appropriate locations in the coastal areas.