Shri Uday Samant ( Ind. Min - Maha ) : Manori Desalination could become a White Elephant

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Subject: 

A Fresh Economic and Ecological Vision for Mumbai’s Water Security: The Manori Pilot Project

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Dear Shri Uday Samantji,

I am writing to you today with a deep sense of urgency regarding the Manori desalination project. As Mumbai prepares to embark on this massive undertaking, I respectfully urge you to take a "fresh look" at the economic and ecological foundations of the current plan.

The current proposal to utilize fossil-fuel-generated electricity for desalination poses two critical, long-term risks:

1. Economic Volatility: As I have highlighted in my previous analysis Mumbai Desalination Plant: Some Missing Facts, the exorbitant cost of electricity accounts for nearly 44% of operating expenditure in conventional plants. Dependence on the grid makes Mumbai’s water security hostage to energy market fluctuations.
2. Ecological Impact: The disposal of highly concentrated brine back into our marine ecosystem is a silent threat to our coastal biodiversity. Furthermore, running these plants on grid power—largely derived from coal—negates the "green" goal of providing clean water.

We have a unique opportunity to lead by example. Breakthroughs in Solar Desalination Technology now allow us to convert ocean water into clean, waste-free water using solar energy, eliminating both the power bill and the brine disposal crisis.

I strongly recommend that the Ministry invites the organizations pioneering these solar-based technologies to Manori. Please offer them the necessary support to establish a PILOT PROJECT as a demonstration site.

This would allow us to:

• Prove the Concept: Move away from the energy-guzzling, filter-replacement-heavy models of the past. As I have consistently argued, we must prioritize "The Biggest, FREE, Desalination Plant: Sun + Sea", harnessing natural solar cycles instead of expensive grid power.
• Avoid Sunk Costs: Before committing to a ₹3,500 crore ambitious project that has already faced repeated tender stalls, we should validate a lower-CAPEX, sustainable technology that can be deployed in weeks rather than years as detailed in my earlier advocacy for small, modular, solar-powered units.

Shri Samantji, the technological landscape has evolved rapidly. MIT’s recent solar-powered desalination breakthroughs validate that we no longer need to choose between water security and environmental destruction. Let Mumbai be the city that proves sustainable water extraction is not just a dream, but an achievable reality for the millions who rely on us.

I am confident that with your proactive leadership, we can transform this project from a fossil-fuel-dependent liability into a global beacon of sustainable urban planning. I remain available to share my technical research and documentation on these solar-harvesting alternatives at your convenience.

With profound respect and best wishes,

Hemen Parekh Mumbai / Andheri www.HemenParekh.ai

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Sources

#	Title	Date	About
1	A Desperate Measure?	2018-11-01	Advocates for small, solar-powered, modular desalination units over large-scale plants.
2	The Biggest, FREE, Desalination Plant: Sun + Sea	2019-07-01	Discusses utilizing solar energy to mimic natural water cycles for desalination.
3	Mumbai Desalination Plant: Some Missing Facts	2023-10-01	Highlights the hidden energy costs and environmental impacts of the proposed Manori plant.
4	Solar Powered Desalination	2024-10-01	Discusses MIT's breakthroughs in sustainable, battery-free solar desalination.
5	BMC to float desalination plant tender	2025-07-01	Critiques the recurring stalls in the tender process for the Manori desalination project.
6	Solar desalination breakthrough converts ocean water into clean, waste-free water	Unknown	External news report on zero-waste, solar-powered ocean water conversion.