Innovative Water Purification Technology Brings Hope to Remote Villages in Tripura

Agartala, Feb 19, 2025, By Our Correspondent85

Professor Harjeet Nath, from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Tripura University (TU), has introduced a pioneering technological solution aimed at addressing a critical issue faced by people living in remote hilly regions—access to clean drinking water. He describes this initiative as ‘A Drop of Hope in Rupaichari, a Story of Resilience and Innovation’.

A Mission to Deliver Clean Water to Remote Areas

In a video posted on social media, Professor Nath shared that he, along with his staff member Vishal and student Debashish, recently visited a remote village in the Rupaichari block of South Tripura District on Tuesday. The visit was conducted 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 suffered from a severe drinking water crisis due to its challenging geographical terrain. Surrounded by dense forests and hills, previous initiatives aimed at providing clean drinking water have yielded limited success, forcing villagers to depend on untreated water collected from local streams and rivulets.

A Game-Changer for Water Purification in Rural Areas

A breakthrough experiment led by Professor Nath’s team at TU has brought a new ray of hope for these communities. The team successfully demonstrated the trial of an innovative water purification system designed to provide clean drinking water at a minimal cost. The portable purifier, tested in the village, has the potential to be a game-changer for similar remote areas struggling with clean water shortages.

Speaking about the initiative, Professor Nath highlighted HN Technovation, a Tripura University initiative dedicated to ensuring clean drinking water access for underserved communities. As part of this mission, his team showcased their portable purifier at Chinta Ram Para, where ‘clean water is still a distant dream’ for many.

Local Authorities Acknowledge the Success of the Trial

Rupaichari Block Development Officer Abhijit Majumdar praised the efforts of Professor Nath’s team and confirmed the success of the demonstration. He stated that the Tripura University-led team had effectively showcased the supply of purified drinking water using the portable machines, and that efforts would soon be made to expand the usage of these machines across other villages in need.

The Technology Behind the Purifier

Discussing the capacity of the portable water purifier, Professor Nath explained that the machine is capable of purifying up to 15,000 liters of water per day. Importantly, the system operates on petrol, making it functional even in areas lacking electricity.

Additionally, the team has developed another variant capable of purifying 50 liters per hour, offering scalable solutions for different requirements. The adaptability of these purification units ensures that they can be customized for various water sources and environmental conditions, making them a viable solution for remote communities.

Cost-Effective and Scalable Solution

One of the key advantages of these portable purifiers is their affordability. The cost of these purification units ranges from ₹40,000 to ₹2 lakh, making them a cost-effective and scalable solution. Furthermore, these devices are easy to set up and operate, ensuring that they remain accessible even to rural populations with limited technical expertise.

A Newfound Optimism Among Villagers

As Professor Nath and his team departed after the successful trial, the villagers were left with renewed optimism. The hope of soon having regular access to clean and safe drinking water has sparked enthusiasm and confidence among the residents of Chinta Ram Para and neighboring villages.

With continued support and implementation, this innovative initiative has the potential to transform lives in remote regions, providing a sustainable solution to one of the most fundamental human needs—clean water.