Mumbai, 02 May (HS): Mumbai Municipal Corporation is

likely to restart the process of floating tenders for making the sea water sweet

project. The project to remove salinity and make it useful for other purposes

was thought of earlier, but was held up for several reasons. Following directives

by the government, the civic authorities are expected to invite bidders for the

project, proposed to be erected at Mumbai’s Manori area.

The purification of sea water was considered due to the shortage of potable

water in Mumbai. The municipality had also floated tenders, but they were cancelled

later. About 3950 million litres of water is supplied from seven lakes to

Mumbai and its suburbs. The demand has increased due to a rise in population.

According to a survey Mumbai’s population is expected to go up to 25 million by

2041, which will require 6,426 million litres of water. A project on the purification

of sea water was planned, and is likely to be finalised soon. In the first

phase, Mumbai is likely to get 200 million litres of water, which will go up to

400 million litres in the second phase. This will be the first of its kind

project.

The project is very costly and was opposed by

some political parties. Various technical issues were also raised. The

municipal corporation hs decided to float tenders again, which is likely to be

finalised within 15 days. The project is expected to be operational within four

years.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar