Kakinada Clears ₹1,310 Crore Desalination Project to Ease Water Stress
Kakinada SEZ Ltd is set to invest ₹1,310 crore in a large-scale desalination plant at Kona village in Andhra Pradesh. The project, aimed at supplying treated seawater to industries and the port, recently received Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance with conditions from a central expert committee. With a capacity of 150 MLD, the facility is expected to reduce reliance on local groundwater sources and support the region’s growing industrial and economic ecosystem.
The proposed desalination facility will draw 380 MLD of seawater through dual intake pipelines and deliver 150 MLD of treated water for use by industries within the Kakinada Special Economic Zone and nearby port facilities. According to project documents reviewed by the expert committee, the outfall system will discharge 230 MLD of brine back into the sea. However, the panel imposed conditions requiring the development of a prototype to explore brine reuse strategies. Environmental concerns about marine discharge led to the stipulation that the project proponent must collaborate with a reputed academic or research institute to study brine recycling and submit monitoring reports for review. A dedicated ₹10 crore environmental mitigation and monitoring budget has also been earmarked. The plant is expected to significantly ease water stress in the area and protect freshwater aquifers from overuse. Officials emphasise that groundwater extraction will be curtailed once the project becomes operational.
The desalination plant is a critical part of Kakinada SEZ’s broader vision to expand industrial infrastructure in the region, which includes a township and domestic tariff area. With rising demand from petrochemical, manufacturing, and logistics sectors, the availability of non-potable industrial water has become essential to sustainable operations. This plant, using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method for its marine pipelines, will operate under strict regulatory scrutiny to prevent ecological damage. Authorities have stated that any alterations to the project’s scope will require a fresh environmental appraisal. The emphasis on reducing marine pollution through reuse of brine discharge highlights an increasing shift toward responsible coastal development. The project is also aligned with national goals to promote efficient resource management and infrastructure modernisation in coastal economic zones. Once completed, the facility will serve as a model for other industrial clusters facing freshwater constraints across India’s eastern coastline.
The Kakinada desalination plant represents a significant stride in securing industrial water supply without burdening local groundwater sources. Backed by CRZ clearance and a structured environmental compliance plan, the project is expected to address the dual challenges of resource scarcity and ecological impact. Its strategic location within a high-growth SEZ and commitment to innovation in brine management mark it as a forward-looking infrastructure model. With implementation under way, Kakinada is positioning itself as a hub for sustainable industrial development on India’s east coast, while balancing environmental safeguards and economic imperatives.