Indigenous N-desalination plant
India's first indigenous nuclear-powered desalination plant at Kalpakkam would become operational in March 2000. The 63-lakh litre capacity plant, using both thermal and membrane processes, would be linked to both the units of Kalpakkam atomic power stations, according to B Bhattacharjee, head, desalination division of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The plant, having innovative features, would process water for the power station and provide quality drinking water to people in and aroundKalpakkam, he said.

AI yet to decide on consultant
Air India is yet to decide on appointing a consultant to assist in the techno-economic evaluation for its aircraft acquisition programme, indicating further delay in the process of purchasing planes to replace its ageing fleet, aviation industry sources have said. The process of evaluating different types and sizes of planes AI required was to have ended in August, but was revised following political instability in the country.

First unit of Srisailam by June
All measures have been taken to commission the 150 mw first unit of the Srisailam left bank hydro electric underground power house by June 2000, according to J Parthasarathy, CMD, Andhra Pradesh power generation corporation. Parthasarathy said power generation in hydel and thermal units in the state has met 68 per cent of the demand during the current financial year.

NTPC plans green fuel project
The research and development centre of National Thermal PowerCorporation is proposing a project on use of alcohol and dimethyl ether as an alternative fuel for green power generation. According to NTPC sources, investigations are on for finding out the suitability of alcohol or dimethyl ether as an alternative fuel. Though NTPC's research centre at NOIDA is pushing through this project, support is also expected from Japan in terms of undertaking a pilot scale study, conducting surveys, holding seminars and providing training in Japan.