Seawater to drinking water: Centre brings advanced technology to solve Lakshadweep water crisis

KAVARATTI: Despite being surrounded by the sea, the people of Lakshadweep have long struggled with a shortage of drinking water. The Central Government has now introduced a long-term solution to address the problem. Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced that Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plants, which convert seawater into drinking water, have been set up across the islands.

The technology works by using the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and cold deep-sea water. The warm water from the surface is evaporated, and the cold water from the deep sea is used to condense the vapour. This process produces salt-free fresh drinking water.

The first plant was set up in Kavaratti. At present, the plants are operational in eight islands, including Minicoy, Agatti, Amini, Kalpeni, Kadmat, Chetlat and Kiltan. Two more islands will soon get similar facilities. Each plant can produce one lakh litres of drinking water per day.

In addition to drinking water, a new technology called Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is also being developed in Kavaratti to generate electricity using ocean thermal energy. According to the minister, this will become the world’s first integrated system capable of producing both electricity and drinking water simultaneously using water drawn from a depth of 1,000 meters.

This project is expected to provide major relief to Lakshadweep, which currently depends largely on diesel generators for power. The environmentally friendly and cost-effective indigenous technology will also strengthen India’s self-reliance.

The minister also highlighted the special focus given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the development of Lakshadweep. With reliable access to drinking water and electricity, the islands are expected to see major growth in tourism and the blue economy, he added.