Bharat Heavy Electricals has commissioned a desalination plant for converting sea water into potable water in the Gulf of Manner off Tamil Nadu. According to a company press release it is the largest desalination plant in the country. Fully designed and manufactured by Bhel, the plant based on reverse osmosis technology is catering to the drinking water needs of 2.5 lakh people in 296 villages in the drought-hit district of Ramanathapuyram in Tamil Nadu. The plant is capable of operating 24 hours a day and produces 38 lakh litres of potable water daily from sea water.