New Delhi, Aug 13 - 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.