CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday laid foundation stone for the Rs 4,276 crore seawater desalination project through video conference from Secretariat. The project would benefit over 22 lakh people in and around Chennai Corporation.

Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) would establish Southeast Asia's biggest desalination plant with a capacity of 400 million litres per day (MLD) at Perur in Chengalpet district.

The project has been conceived with an objective to meet the future demand of the people and industrial developments in the surrounding areas of Chennai. The project would be funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and it is expected to be completed by December 2026.

The desalination plant would be developed by using advanced technologies, including dissolved air floatation and dual media filter. Pipeline would be laid for 1,150 metre into the sea to draw seawater to the desalination plant. It would benefit 22.67 lakh people in and around Greater Chennai Corporation and 20 adjoining panchayats, according to a statement from the government.

Minister for Municipal Administration K N Nehru, Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena, Japan Consul General TAGA Masayuki, Chief Representative of JICA India SAITO Mitsunori and senior officials from the TN government participated in the programme.