Question : DESALINATION PLANTS

(a) the number of Low Temperature Thermal Desalination plants set up by the Government in the country with the details of capacity, year of commissioning and the project cost plant-wise;

(b) whether any proposals are under consideration to set up some more desalination plants particularly in coastal areas to ameliorate drinking water shortage;

(c) if so, the details thereof State/UT-wise;

(d) whether the Government also proposes to implement large scale desalination of sea water using solar energy; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY)

(a). Four Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plants have been successfully commissioned in the country, one each at Kavaratti (2005), Minicoy (2011), Agatti (2011) islands of Lakshadweep and at North Chennai Thermal Power Station (NCTPS), Chennai (2008). The capacity of each of these LTTD plants is 1 lakh liter of potable water per day. The capital cost of LTTD plant at Kavaratti was Rs. 5 crores, at Minicoy Rs. 13 crores, at Agatti Rs. 21 crores, and at NCTPS, it was Rs. 5 crores.

(b). Yes, Madam.

(c). Government proposes to set up a LTTD plant with a capacity of generating 2 million litres of potable water per day (2 MLD) at Tuticorin Thermal Power station, Tamil Nadu and six LTTD plants funded by Lakshadweep Administration, one each in the islands of Lakshadweep viz., Amini, Chetlet, Kadamath, Kalpeni, Kiltan and Andrott with a capacity of generating one lakh litre of potable water per day.

(d)&(e) National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), an autonomous body of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, proposes to set up an experimental Solar-Multi Effect Distillation (MED) plant at Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu.