NEW DELHI - The government Thursday said it will set up two major water projects in Mumbai and Chennai at a cost of Rs.2,200 crore aimed at finding a permanent solution to the acute water scarcity in these two metros.

“Two mega projects have been sanctioned for two major cities. Mumbai will get Rs.1,200 crore for the Brihanmumbai storm water drainage project, while the seawater reverse osmosis desalination project would come up in Chennai at a cost of about Rs.1,000 crore,” Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy said.

He was speaking at the Urban Water Awards-2009 presentation ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan here.

“Once these projects are implemented fully, it is expected that the citizens of these two cities will get a much needed respite from the problems of flooding and acute water scarcity which they have been suffering for too long,” Reddy said.

He said proper water supply and sanitation were on the priority list of the ministry.

“Out of a total of 969 projects under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT), the water and sanitation sector accounts for 828 projects,” he added.

Besides, the government has also sanctioned Rs.116 crore for the preservation of water bodies.

Speaking on the occasion, President Pratibha Patil said the 11th Plan aims to provide drinking water to everybody.

“To make this happen, it is estimated that investment to the tune of Rs.54,000 crore would be required,” she said.

“There are still many cities which have not been able to meet the preferred norm of 135 litres per capita per day of water supply,” the president said.