July 9, 2009 1:39:57 am
As the state is reeling under severe water shortage,the state government has decided to check whether seawater can be desalinated to tackle water woes.
In the cabinet meeting held on Wednesday,Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said experiment on desalination of seawater should be conducted in the state,especially in Mumbai. He instructed Chief Secretary Johny Joseph to enquire with experts and explore whether the project could be implemented in the state. He also said instead of depending on rain water,it was necessary to give priority to seawater desalination projects.
Bhujbal said experiments on desalination of seawater had been successful in Dubai and Chennai and added that the process was used to meet water needs of Dubai,right from drinking to gardening. Bhujbal said he had spoken to the company that was carrying out such a project in Chennai. According to him,water can be supplied at a low rate of 4.5 paise per litre after the implementation of desalination project.
He pointed out that Mumbais water needs were met through water supply projects. Sources located 140 kilometre away supply water to dams in Nashik,Igatpuri and the city,Bhujbal added.
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