Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has laid the foundation stone for a 60 million litres per day desalination plant in Thoothukudi, to be developed under the public-private partnership hybrid annuity model at an estimated cost of Rs 22.93 billion.

According to an official statement, the project is expected to significantly improve water availability for industries operating in the SIPCOT industrial complex, easing existing water constraints and supporting sustained industrial expansion in the region.

The contract has been awarded by the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu to a consortium led by Chennai-based Vishnusurya Projects and Infra Ltd, along with JWIL Infra Ltd and IDE Technologies India Pvt Ltd. The desalination facility is expected to play a critical role in strengthening industrial infrastructure and enhancing water security in southern Tamil Nadu.