Scientists have a social responsibility in solving people’s problems and the scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras have been doing good work, said Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science and Technology.
Inaugurating three Department of Science and Technology Mission Centres on Solar Energy and Water Treatment here, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has faith in the ability of the scientists in alleviating power and water problems.
The centres established at an investment of over ₹50 crore would undertake research in solar technology and also waste water management. One centre would work on technology to make river water potable through solar thermal desalination. The centres for solar energy harnessing, sustainable treatment, reuse and management for efficient, affordable and synergistic solutions have been created with an aim to overcome water and energy challenges faced by the State.
A group of scientists headed by Prof. T. Sundararajan, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, is establishing the solar thermal desalination plant in Naripaaiyur of Ramanathapuram district through the solar thermal centre. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras, and Sanjay Bajpai, Head, Department of Science and Technology, participated at the launch function.
