BJP questions over desalination project advocated by CM Thackeray

@the_news_21

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday asked the state government whether there is a need for Rs. 1,600 crore project to desalinate 200 million litres of seawater daily.

In a series of tweets, BJP leader, Advocate Ashish Shelar questioned whether it is justified to implement such an expensive project.

He said if the leakage is stopped then from the 40 per cent of Rs. 1,600 crore then a double of 200 litres of water will be saved.

Shelar said, on daily basis, 3,800 billion litres of water is supplied to Mumbai, and due to leakage 900 billion litres of water is wasted.

“As per the standard of Mumbai municipal corporation and international standard a minimum of 10 per cent, means 380 billion litres of water can easily be saved”, he said.

In his H/West Ward, through a pilot project around 100 crore litres of water was saved.

“Why the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) does not make an effort to save the water which gets wasted in its 24 administrative wards? he asked.

Shelar also sought to know for whose benefit this Rs 1600 crore project is being implemented.

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In a decision taken by the state government yesterday, Maharashtra Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray directed to review and take steps to construct the project at Manori to desalinate 200 MLD saltwater into the drinking water to overcome water woes in May and June.

Thackeray said the onset of monsoon is delayed as a reason in May and June 10-15 per cent water cut is imposed. To prevent this, the CM said that the desalination of seawater will help resolve the issue.

“In many parts of the world, the project has been successfully implemented. While in some other countries the project is being constructed. The project, he said will be very beneficial to a city like Mumbai.

The Chief Minister said the project will be implemented on solar power as a reason it will also reduce the development cost.

“The water quality at Manori is very good. Basic amenities can be readily available. The land belonging to the state government is available at Manori. Besides, even the roads are available. Since there are no human settlements the project can be implemented without any hurdle”, he said.

The project to desalinate 200 MLD water at Manori will be built on 25-30 acres of land. It will also help in augmentation of desalination process in future, Thackeray asserted.

The official said, the project will be completed in 2 and a half years to 3 years and is expected to cost Rs. 1,600 crores. “The development cost will be 3-4 paise per litre,” BMC Commissioner, Iqbal Singh Chahal said while making the presentation.