Chennai: Municipal administration minister K N Nehru on Wednesday directed officials to fast-track the construction of the 400 million litres a day (MLD) desalination plant coming up at Perur at a cost of 6,078.40 crore.On Wednesday, Nehru reviewed the progress of the project being implemented by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) with financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).At the Perur site, key components, including the intake structure, lamella clarifier, RO building, product water tank, clear water reservoir, sludge thickener, and chemical and electrical buildings, are under construction. Offshore works involving 2,500-mm diameter HDPE pipelines were completed, including two intake pipelines of 1,140m and 1,150m, and a 756m outfall pipeline, officials said.As part of the project, 59km of pipelines will be laid from Perur to Porur. Of the 19.5km of 2,000/1,800mm diameter pipes brought to site, 4.1km has been laid so far. Infrastructure augmentation work has also begun in the Adyar zone to ensure 24×7 supply in select areas. The project is expected to benefit 22.67 lakh residents across Greater Chennai Corporation, Tambaram Corporation, and 20 adjoining local bodies.Currently, Chennai receives water from Poondi, Cholavaram, Red Hills, Kannankottai-Thervoy Kandigai, Chembarambakkam, and Veeranam lakes, apart from the 110MLD and 150MLD desalination plants at Nemmeli. The city is supplied around 1,230MLD a day.
