In a first of a kind initiative in Kerala, a seawater desalination plant will be set up at the Ponnani fishing harbour in Malappuram. Additionally, a similar project will be implemented in seven panchayats in Kasaragod.
The land required for setting up the plant will be provided by the Ports Department. The plant is expected to solve the severe drinking water shortage faced by the Ponnani municipality. In previous years, the corporation has implemented various relief measures to tackle the issue. For instance, the corporation spent Rs 36 lakh alone on freshwater supply inside the city. Due to a fault in the pipe, the drinking water supplied by the water authority was not available in many parts of the city. The municipality was forced to deliver the water with the help of tankers.
With the implementation of the plant, the water can be supplied to 130 flats of the fishermen settled near the harbour. The project is a joint venture between the Central Government and the Kerala Water Authority.
