The ₹5,814 crore desalination plant at Perur on East Coast Road, one of Chennai's largest infrastructure projects, is expected to be commissioned by the end of this year. Once operational, the 400 million litres per day (MLD) facility will supply drinking water to over 22 lakh people across Chennai and its expanding suburbs.
Project Progress and Inspection
Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) managing director T Anand inspected the project site on Friday and directed officials to expedite the remaining works. The project, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), began in August 2023.
Pipeline Network
The project involves laying nearly 59 kilometres of large-diameter transmission pipelines to carry treated drinking water from Perur to various parts of the city. So far, 37.13 kilometres of pipes have been supplied, and pipeline-laying work is progressing along a 10.32-kilometre stretch.
Distribution Areas
Treated water from Perur will be distributed to rapidly urbanising residential, commercial and industrial areas, including Tambaram, Pammal, Polichalur, parts of Pallavaram, Madambakkam, Sembakkam, Chitlapakkam, Peerkankaranai, Perungalathur, Thiruneermalai, Kundrathur, Mangadu, Thiruporur, Thaiyur, Velichai, Padur, Siruseri, Mambakkam, Sonalur, Ponmar, Thandalam, Kanathur Reddikuppam, Pudupakkam and Kolathur.
Offshore Works
Major offshore works have also progressed. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipelines with a diameter of 2,500 millimetres have been laid along the seabed. Installation of two seawater intake pipelines and a brine discharge pipeline is complete, and offshore caisson structures have been connected to the system.
Plant Components
Works have advanced across several key components, including the seawater intake structure, reverse osmosis (RO) treatment buildings, clear water reservoirs, product water tanks, sludge treatment facilities, electrical buildings, warehouses and administrative blocks.
Existing and Future Capacity
Chennai currently operates three desalination plants: the 100 MLD Minjur plant, the 100 MLD Nemmeli plant and the 150 MLD Nemmeli Phase-II plant. The city receives around 1,230 MLD of water from reservoirs, treatment plants and existing desalination facilities. The Perur plant alone will add 400 MLD, producing more water than all three existing plants combined. Once commissioned, Chennai's total desalination capacity will rise from 350 MLD to 750 MLD.
