A Drop of Hope at Rupaichari: TU team demonstrates low cost tech solutions for drinking water
Professor Harjeet Nath from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Tripura University (TU) calls it ‘A drop of hope in Rupaichari, a story of resilience and innovation’. His team has developed a groundbreaking technological solution to address one of the most pressing issues faced by people living in remote hilly regions - access to clean drinking water.
In a video posted on social media, Professor Nath shared that he, along with his staff member Vishal and student Debashish, visited a remote village in the Rupaichari block of South Tripura District on Tuesday. The visit was in response to a request from district authorities to demonstrate the functionality and effectiveness of their low-cost, portable water purifier.
Chinta Ram Para, a secluded village in Magrum ADC under the Rupaichari block, has long struggled with a severe drinking water crisis due to its challenging geographical terrain. Surrounded by dense forests and hills, past initiatives to provide clean drinking water have yielded limited success, leaving villagers dependent on untreated water collected from streams and rivulets.
However, a breakthrough experiment led by TU Professor Nath’s team has ignited new hope. The team successfully conducted a trial of an innovative water purification system designed to provide clean drinking water at minimal cost. The portable purifier, demonstrated in the village, could be a game-changer for similar remote areas.
Professor Nath also mentioned in his video, HN Technovation, an initiative from Tripura University (TU), is on a mission to provide clean drinking water to underserved communities. As part of this mission, the team showcased their purifier at Chinta Ram Para, where ‘clean water is still a distant dream’.
Speaking on the demonstration, Rupaichari Block Development Officer Abhijit Majumdar confirmed the success of the trial. He said that the Professor Nath-led team from Tripura University (TU) had effectively demonstrated the supply of purified drinking water using the portable machines, and efforts would soon be made to expand usages of these machines across other villages in need.
Discussing the capacity of the portable water purifier, Professor Nath explained that the machine can purify up to 15,000 liters of water per day. It operates on petrol, ensuring functionality even in areas lacking electricity. Besides, the team has also developed another variant capable of purifying 50 liters per hour, offering scalable solutions for different needs.
Professor Nath highlighted the adaptability of these machines, which can be customized for various water sources and conditions, making them a viable solution for remote communities. The cost of these purification units ranges from ₹40,000 to ₹2 lakh, making them both scalable and cost-effective. Moreover, they are easy to set up and operate, ensuring accessibility for rural populations.
As Professor Nath and his team departed after a successful trial, the villagers were left with newfound optimism—the hope of soon having regular access to clean and safe drinking water.
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