Three DST Technology Mission Centres on Solar Energy & Water Treatment established at IIT Madras

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 24: Union Minister for Science, Technology & Earth Sciences and Environment, Forests & Climate Change Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched three Department of Science and Technology's (DST) Mission Centres on Solar Energy and Water Treatment at Indian Institute of Technology Madras.

These centres, which have been established at a collective investment of Rs 50 Crores, have the mission of providing state-of-art research led innovative technological solutions for prevalent and emerging water and energy challenges facing the country.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “I urge Scientists and technocrats, to aspire to achieve breakthroughs through cutting edge research which could position India at the frontiers of global innovations. Development and application of advanced tools and techniques by leading Indian institutions for water and energy is of utmost importance to address the critical scientific challenges involved. The current endeavours are few such steps in this direction.”

Dr. Harsh Vardhan emphasised the commitment of the Government to harness science and technology for the societal challenges through roping in extra ordinary capabilities of scientists and scientific institution under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. The national missions namely ‘Namami Gange,’ ‘Swachch Bharat,’ ‘Solar Mission’ and ‘Swastha Bharat’ are directed towards sustainable solutions

The three centres that have been established by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and nucleated at IIT Madras are:

Ø DST -IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre.

Ø DST- IITM Centre for Sustainable Treatment, Reuse and Management for Efficient, Affordable & Synergistic Solutions for Water (Water-IC for SUTRAM of EASY WATER).

Ø DST-IITM-KGDS Test bed on Solar Thermal Desalination Solutions in Narippaiyur, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu

Speaking earlier, Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras, said, “IIT Madras is honoured that the Hon’ble Minister for Science, Technology, and Earth Sciences, and Environment, Forests and Climate Change Dr. Harsh Vardhan is launching three important DST Technology Mission Centres at its campus today. The Centres are focussed on critical technologies for sustainability - harnessing of solar energy in myriad ways, and scientific recycling and conservation of water. IIT Madras is grateful to the Department of Science and Technology for its generous support to establish these world-class Centres of Excellence and is committed to deliver new knowledge and solutions to address India’s sustainable development goals.”

Dr. Sanjay Bajpai, Head (TMD), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, gave an introduction to the Mission Initiatives. Prof Ravindra Gettu, Dean (Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research), IIT Madras, also spoke.