Three desalination plants, based on the Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) technology indigenously developed and demonstrated by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), have been successfully commissioned one each at Kavaratti, Minicoy, and Agatti islands of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. The capacity of each of these LTTD plants is 1 lakh litre of potable water per day. Expenditures amounting to about Rs. 5 crores, Rs. 13 crores and Rs. 21 crores were incurred for commissioning the plants at Kavaratti, Minicoy and Agatti respectively. One experimental LTTD plant using condenser waste heat from power plant was set up at North Chennai Thermal Power Station (NCTPS) with an expenditure of Rs. 4.5 crores.
The Lakshadweep Administration requested NIOT for setting up of similar LTTD plants of 1 lakh litre of potable water per day capacity in remaining six islands. NIOT has sent a detailed project report with a fund requirement of Rs. 280.01 crores to the Lakshadweep Administration in this regard.
The proposal to set up 6 LTTD plants in six Lakshadweep Islands has been submitted by NIOT to the Lakshadweep Administration.