Chennai: The 100-MLD Minjur desalination plant is expected to resume operations by Dec, bringing relief to North Chennai neighbourhoods. However, the plant will initially supply only 20 MLD before gradually ramping up to its full capacity. Officials said the restoration was delayed as critical equipment required for the repair works had to be imported, and the late arrival of these components pushed back the resumption of operations.“All the major components, including the filters, have to be imported from Germany. We expect to partially restart the plant by Dec 2026 with an initial supply of 20 MLD,” said an officer.After years of acute drinking water shortages, residents of North Chennai had found relief with water supplied from the Minjur desalination plant. However, the situation worsened again after the plant’s operations were disrupted in Nov 2024. Although officials had said the plant would be partially operational by May 2026, the restart was delayed due to the late arrival of imported equipment required for the maintenance and replacement works.“The plant was Tamil Nadu’s first seawater desalination plant for potable water, became operational in 2010. Over the past decade, technological advancements have made it necessary to replace and service several critical components to ensure efficient functioning. The contractor has completed the due-condition assessment, and the valuation process is currently under way for replacing and servicing the equipment,” said a senior Metro Water official.The proposal and cost estimates for replacing the equipment are currently under preparation. Officials said it would take another three to four months to obtain the necessary approvals and complete the remaining works. The plant will initially supply 20 MLD and gradually increase its output until it reaches its full capacity of 100 MLD to serve residents of north Chennai.“There was round-the-clock water supply when the Minjur desalination plant was operational. However, ever since the plant was shut down more than a year ago, we have been receiving water from the Puzhal treatment plant only on alternate days. The water is often polluted and unsuitable for drinking as well as domestic use. We are now forced to buy water because even tanker truck supply is irregular in our locality,” said K Venkattaiya of the Erneeswaran Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association in Ernavoor.
