Min: City to get 870 MLD water all year around

“Chennai did not receive sufficient rainfall last year due to which there were problems of water scarcity. However, the government has announced various long-term projects to make sure that Chennai receives 870 Million Litres (MLD) of water a day,” Velumani said in the Assembly.

The Minister was replying to the queries of Sozhinganallur MLA S Aravind Ramesh who questioned the government about the measures taken to tackle drinking water crisis. “Last year, there was a severe water crisis here but even though the government has announced several new schemes for drinking water, none of the projects kickstarted,” Ramesh said. The MLA added that the Corporation, during the previous AIADMK rule, in 2002, had announced restoration of the Buckingham Canal, butinstead, residents living along the banks were relocated toKannagi Nagar.

Responding to the queries, Velumani said that the government is in the process of constructing 400 MLD reverse osmosis plant at Perur near Chennai at a total cost of Rs 6,078.4 crore. The project has obtained funding from the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and since it is a long-term project, it will take some time to complete.

The Minister added that the government has also taken steps to get additional water from the Andhra Pradesh government in case the need arises.