Jodiya desalination project MoU scrapped, others in progress, informs Gujarat govt

Gandhinagar: The minister of water supply today in replies to a question informed that a contract given to private company for setting up desalination plant at Jodiya taluka in Jamnagar on 17th November 2018 has been cancelled and therefore no question arises regarding its further development. The minister informed that Jodiya Water Desalination Limited Company was established by joint venture Essel Infra Projects Limited, Mumbai and Abeinsa Infrastructures Medio Ambiente for desalination plant at Jodiya taluka in Jamnagar on 17th November 2018 but later the contract was scrapped.

In another reply to a question asked by an MLA, the minister of water-supply informed that the works for a desalination plant of 10 crore litre per day capacity at an estimated cost of Rs 800 crores are in the implementation state at Mandvi- Gundiyali in Kutch. The government as allocated Rs 400 crores and the works are going to completed within 2 years.

The minister also informed that L.O.A. has been given to a joint venture for a 70 MLD capacity sea-water desalination plant at Ghogha village of Bhavnagar at the condition of start operating the plant within 3 years after signing concession agreement. After the plant becomes operational, 7 crore litre desalinated water will be purchased daily at the rate of Rs 47.85 per one thousand litre for two years period. After that period, water will be purchased with provision of 3 percent increase every year during the remaining period of contract.

Similarly, an L.O.A. has been given to a joint venture for a 30 MLD capacity sea-water desalination plant at Vadodara Zala village of Sutrapada taluka in Gir Somnath at the condition of operating the plant within 3 years after signing concession agreement. After the plant becomes operational, 3 crore litre desalinated water will be purchased daily at the rate of Rs 45 per one thousand litre for two years following which it will be purchased with 3 percent increase every year during the remaining period of contract.

Another L.O.A. is given to a joint venture for a 100 MLD capacity sea-water desalination plant at Gundayali village of Mandvi taluka in Kutch with the condition of making it operational within 3 years after signing concession agreement. After the plant becomes operational, 10 crore litre desalinated water will be purchased daily at the rate of Rs 44.85 per one thousand litre for two years following which it will be purchased with 3 percent increase every year during the remaining period of contract.

The minister informed in reply to another question about establishing a desalination plant at Gandhvi village of Devbhumi Dwarka at PPP basis with the concessionaire. It will desalinate 7 crore litre water after it becomes operational. The State Government will provide partial financial assistance of Rs 280 crores. DeshGujarat