On January 5, 2021, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) & Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (MAHA-METRO) signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) through which DRDO will provide technical support for the implementation of advanced biodigester Mk-II technology for treatment of human waste (night soil) in the metro rail network.
i.The biodigester units (a non-sewered sanitation technology) will help in conserving water & protecting the environment.
ii.The agreement was signed by Dr DK Dubey, Director of DRDE, Gwalior & Atul Gadgil, Director, Maha-Metro Rail Corporation Limited, Pune. The agreement was exchanged by Dr AK Singh, Distinguished Scientists & Director General-Life Sciences, DRDO Headquarters, New Delhi on behalf of DRDO & Dr Brijesh Dixit, Managing Director, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) on behalf of Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation.
Biodigester Technology:
i.It converts human waste in usable water and gases, which will be used for cooking and water for irrigation purposes.
ii.During the process the fecal matter is dumped into a tank which is filled with bio digesting bacteria, which will degrade the fecal matter.
Key Points:
i.The Biodigester is an indigenous, green & cost-effective technology and was originally developed for the armed forces in high altitude Himalayan regions which include Leh-Ladakh & Siachen Glacier.
ii.The Indian Railways has installed around 2.40 Lakh Biodigesters in its passenger coaches.
iii.The Mk-II Technology being used for MAHA-METRO is a revamped & improvised version. The new improvements have increased the bio-degradation efficiency, design modification & addition of secondary treatment modules.
Demonstration of Mk-II Biodigester in Dal Lake, J&K:
i.A customized version of Mk-II Biodigester to treat human waste generated from houseboats in Dal Lake was demonstrated by DRDO to Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Administration.
ii.Lakes & Waterways Development Authority (LWDA) of J&K Administration started the process to acquire 100 units of Mk-II Biodigester for civil habitats around Dal Lake to reduce water pollution.
iii.The implementation of Biodigester Mk-II is monitored by a committee of experts formed by the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir. The committee is led by Dr E Sreedharan, Former MD of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
iv.The technology is expected to reduce the Dal Lake pollution.
Recent Related News:
i.June 2, 2020, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Science(INMAS) a Delhi based laboratory of DRDO in association with Gel Craft Healthcare Private Ltd., Ghaziabad developed “Ultra Swachh”, a disinfection unit to disinfect Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs), electronic items, fabrics and other materials.
About Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO):
Chairman – G Satheesh Reddy
Headquarters– New Delhi
About Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MAHA-METRO):
Chairman – Durga Shanker Mishra
Headquarters – Nagpur, Maharashtra
