Project Overview

Perur Desalination Plant is a 400 MLD, Southeast Asia’s largest desalination plant that is being built in the Perur Village, in Tamil Nadu, India. It is being built at a project cost of INR 4,276.44 crores (USD 499 million). The Project Management Consultancy work has been awarded to M/s SMEC International Pty Limited, Australia. 

It is being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and is executed by CMWSSB (Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board). The Perur desalination plant will be the fourth desalination plant in Chennai and that will secure Chennai's water supply for the next 50 years. Once operational it will become Southeast Asia's largest desalination plant.

Perur Desalination Plant Location

The 400 MLD Perur Desalination Plant Project is being constructed at Perur Village, Thiruporur taluk, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India. 

Project Background

In 2019, Chennai was hit by a major water crisis and reservoirs that supply drinking water nearly ran dry. In 2020, SMEC International Pty Limited was appointed as a project consultant to lead the reparation of bid documents & evaluation. It is also awarded the role of construction management & supervision, along with product water conveyance pipeline. 

SMEC completed the hydraulic design of the water distribution system using Bentley WaterGEMS software. A feasibility study was conducted which included the preparation of topographical field surveys, a Bathymetry Survey, a Seawater Sample Analysis, and a Brine Dispersion Modelling Study. SMEC also provided detailed design reports and performed geotechnical investigations for the pump station of the plant. 

On 22nd August 2023, a foundation stone was laid by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin. On 24th August 2023, a contract was signed between CMWSSB and Joint Venture VA Tech Wabag (India) and Metito (Overseas) Limited for the construction of the 400 MLD reverse osmosis Perur Desalination Plant.

Project Scope

The Perur desalination project is being constructed to secure Chennai's water needs. The Chennai Metropolitan Area population is expected to exceed 15 million by 2035 increasing water supply demand. Currently, the water demand exceeds 1,400 million liters per day (MLD), to bridge the supply-demand gap affecting both residents and industries including over 360 Japanese companies operating in that region the Perur desalination plant is proposed. 

The desalinated water will be distributed to the areas of Tambaram, Pammal & polichalur, Pallavaram (part), Madambakkam, Sembakkam, Chitlapakkam, Peerkangaranai, Perungalathur, Thiruneermalai, Kundrathur, Kattankulathur, Mangadu, ThiruPorur, Thaiyur, Velichal, Padur, Siruseri, Mambakkam, Sonalur, Ponmar, Thandalam, KanathurReddikuppam, Pudupakkam, Kolathur, Industries, commercial & floating, Alandur, Valasaravakkam, Mathur & Madhavaram, Virugambakkam, IT sectors & Industries.

The project will include 1,300 km of water distribution network, and two pump facilities each with 200 MLD capacity, and will benefit 22.67 lakh residents in Chennai, Tambaram, and nearby villages.   

Perur Desalination Plant Cost

The Perur Desalination plant is being built with a project cost of INR 4,276 crore (USD 499 million). On 27th March 2025, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a loan agreement amounting to 52,556 million Japanese Yen (INR 3,065 crores) for the construction of the Perur Desalination Plant.

This ODA loan agreement (Official Development Assistance) was signed between Ms. Manisha Sinha, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Mr. TAKEUCHI Takuro, Chief Representative of JICA India.

Perur Desalination Plant Construction Packages

Perur Desalination Plant Contractors & Investors 

Mitsubishi Corporation & Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan) are key stakeholders in Metito that hold 38.4% ordinary shares in Metito from Gulf Capital.

Technical Specifications

Perur Desalination Plant Commission Date

As per the latest update by Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, the construction of the city's fourth desalination plant Perur is progressing at a fast pace, about 30% of the works have been completed so far. The project works were inspected by the Managing Director of Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) T G Vinay on 24th January 2025. The Perur desalination plant is expected to be completed by December 2026. 

Benefits of the Perur Desalination Plant

Strengthening Chennai Water Security: Perur desalination plant is the fourth desalination plant in Chennai city built with a capacity of 400 MLD, it is a part of the Tamil Nadu government's strategy to secure Chennai's water supply for the next 50 years. 

Reduced pressure on local water resources: Desalination plants as an alternate source of water can help preserve natural habitats and biodiversity thus, reducing pressure on local water resources.

Conclusion

The Perur Desalination plant is a SWRO plant that is being constructed with 400 MLD capacity at the Perur village, Tamil Nadu. It is being built with a cost of INR 4,276.44 crores (USD 499 million) by the joint venture of VA Tech Wabag Ltd and Metito Overseas. The foundation stone was laid in 2023 and the entire project is expected to be completed by December 2026. Once operational it will be one of Southeast Asia's largest SWRO plants and will secure Chennai's water supply for the next 50 years. 

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