Rs 3500 crore Japanese industrial township project facing water crisis

Chennai:
CHENNAI: Work has begun on the first phase of the much-touted `3,500 crore Japanese industrial township project that is coming up near the Old Mahabalipuram Road. But Chennai’s biggest curse of water scarcity is already posing a challenge to the developers.
The OneHub Chennai Integrated Township project, earlier known as Omega Japanese Satellite township project, is coming up on 1,450 acres of land, about 50 kilometres outside the city.
Though the authorities have assured adequate supply of water, including the provision from the Nemmeli desalination plant, it remains to be seen whether the water managers will be able to keep the promise. The city which received scanty rainfall during the last monsoon is relying on Metro Water’s contingency measures.
Dominic Leong, general manager, OneHub Chennai, says that the project has received an assurance from the government on water supply in a phased manner.
“In the initial stage, we are looking at getting water through tankers to complement the supply from the Nemmeli plant,” he says.
Chennai Metro Water has already started examining the potential sources from which an assured supply can be made to the project. Industry sources add that the State Government is pondering over the idea of implementing a Singapore model, where waste water is treated and reused to ensure steady supply of recycled water to the industrial township.
The township project facilitated by the State Government has been set up by a Japanese consortium, comprising Mizuho Corporate Bank and JGC Corporation, in association with business space development company Ascendas.
The project obtained Environmental Impact Assessment clearance from the authorities and the first phase of work is on. 
Leong says that the township will be developed in a phased manner and common infrastructure work is underway.
The project that is likely to be completed over a period of six to eight years will have industrial, business, commercial and residential spaces and amenities.
Leading Japanese companies like Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ajinomoto, and Takasago International Corporation have signed up and commenced development of their facilities.
The project is strategically located within Chennai’s IT and industrial corridor and is next to a few prestigious institutions of higher education.
Developers claim that the township will support a community of more than 1,40,000 people. More industries like food and pharma, automotive, electronics and consumer goods are expected to come up soon.