Gets uninterrupted electricity, Rs 900 Mn new RO plant and Rs 235 Mn passenger craft
The government was now taking several steps to construct infrastructure, uplift public transport, water supply, education, health and other important sectors in the Delft Island, P Prabhakaran, Divisional Secretary, Delft Island told the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and media team visiting Delft Island. Plans are also mooted to construct a second 300 cubic metre RO plant in two years time. Now in the design stage, the Treasury has allocated Rs 900 million for the project.
Currently the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) supplies water to 626 families from the existing RO plant out of the 1,250 families living on this island. Around 4,250 individuals live on the island. They receive around 60 to 70 litres twice a day for drinking purposes. However 700 families have yet not received the connection and plans are mooted to do a new RO plant construction in the next year.
Prabhakaran said the Water Supply and Drainage Board is having discussions with the government to construct the new RO plant. He thanked the ADB for the continuous support and requested support for infrastructure development, boosting the tourism sector and improving sea transportation to Delft Island. Prabhakaran said the Ministry of Rural Development has provided Rs 235 million for the construction of a new boat under the Prajasakthi Scheme and they plan to use it to promote tourism. They have now managed to provide uninterrupted electricity to Delft Island with solar and windmill electricity, project generation around 768 KW. Meanwhile, the Government has unveiled plans to transform Delft Island into the countryโs first Zero Emission ecotourism destination, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, environmental conservation and the preservation of its unique natural and cultural heritage.
Delft Island is an isolated island of a Divisional Secretariat Division in the Jaffna District of the Northern Province. Due to its island setting, limited freshwater resources and the saline/brackish nature of groundwater, ensuring a reliable source of safe drinking water has been a longstanding challenge for the resident population. The NWSDB provides treated drinking water to the island through a Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) water supply system.
Financial assistance amounting to approximately USD 1 Mn for this project was provided by ADB, through a Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) grant amounting to $2Mn. Approximately 43% of the current families receive NWSDB RO-treated water, while approximately 824 families remain outside the present NWSDB household connection coverage. The Delft SWRO plant was commissioned in February 2015 to provide a reliable source of potable water for the island community. The plant uses seawater abstracted from a well located near the plant as its raw-water source.
Source : Daily News
