The project to desalinate seawater through Israeli technology has finally gained momentum. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and IDE Water Technologies Ltd signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday to prepare a DPR for a 200 MLD desalination plant at Manori in Mumbai. The MoU was signed in presence of CM Uddhav Thackeray. This project is a revolutionary step and today the dream of many years is coming true, stated Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
The project will ensure water security for Mumbai and it will be ready by 2025. The project will help to reduce dependency on the monsoon for drinking water in times of climate change, said Aaditya Thackeray.
Along with water security for Mumbai, and possibilities of capacity augmentation, this desalination plant will help us avoid financial and ecological costs of dam construction, saving almost 4.5 lakh fully mature trees, ecology and thousands of crores further required, he added.
The Israeli embassy in Mumbai also took note of this and tweeted congratulating in Marathi Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. "Congratulations to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for recognizing the importance of water, environment and time and taking a step forward to supply water to Mumbai through desalination. Israel, a leader in water technology, is with Maharashtra in this endeavor," tweeted the Israeli Embassy in Mumbai.
The MoU was signed at the Sahyadri Guest House in the presence of the Chief Minister, Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray, Consul General of Israel Yakov Finkelstein, IDE Water Technology office bearers, Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, MMRDA Commissioner S. Srinivas .
The Chief Minister further said that it is the responsibility of all of us to provide drinking water 24 hours a day. But how many dams should be built for this and how many trees should be cut down to make the land desert? It is important to consider this and take an alternative approach. The sea water desalination project is now coming to fruition. He informed that pure water supply will be started from this project from 2025.