Paradip: A desalination drinking water plant, Odisha's first-ever such a unit that will convert saline water to sweet water fit for human consumption, will be set up in the port city of Paradip by 2021.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Paradip Port Trust (PPT)'s Chief Engineer Ramachandra Rao and Chennai-based National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)'s M V Ramana Murthy to provide consulting services in this landmark project, today.

The project is said to use Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) technology, designed to convert saline water to drinking water, that will help combat drinking water shortage in Pradip and adjoining areas.

According to reports, the cost of the project has been pegged at Rs. 116 crore, with operation and maintenance charges at Rs. 41.17 per kilolitre of drinking water.

Tenders for the bidding process will be invited later this year and the plant will be ready to function by 2021, said Ramachandra Rao.