UPES to lead Indo-French consortium to make 'Swachh Neer' a reality

New Delhi, Sept. 8 (ANI): University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) today announced that it is leading an Indo- French consortium of academic institutions and industry players to collaborate on Project 'Swachh Neer - Une Vie Meilleure' (a better life). The objective of this project is to combat rising water problems in both countries by developing technologies for recycling and recovery of waste water including recharge and storage of water. This consortium has been created within the framework of Indo French Water Network Programme under Indo French Center for the Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR). IFCPAR is a model of bilateral cooperation in science and technology. The center established in 1987 receives financial support from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of France. With the total availability of water being limited, its per capita availability decreases in direct proportion to the increase in population. In India, where population is expected to cross 1.5 billion mark by 2050, annual per capita availability of fresh water may reduce to 1140 cubic metres by 2050 from 5177 cubic metre in 1951. An estimated 38,354 million litres per day (MLD) sewage is generated in major cities of India, but the sewage treatment capacity is only of 11,786 MLD. Similarly, only 60 percent of industrial waste water, mostly large scale industries, is adequately treated. Increasing water pollution in France due to the accumulation of industrial contaminants, agricultural nitrates, and waste from the nation's cities has posed a serious threat to the sustainable and long term availability of clean water. Principal Coordinator of the project from India, Dr. Jitendra K. Pandey, Associate Head, R&D Department, UPES, explains, "Keeping in mind technical and engineering aspects of waste water planning "Swachh Neer" project will focus on technology development, awareness programs, and interactions with direct beneficiaries. An awareness drive will also be conducted in selected regions in India and France to identify the ground level challenges. We also plan to develop low cost nano-material with French collaboration for effective treatment of water." As part of the project, an evaluation matrix will be developed to screen various alternative technologies such as nano-cellulose from waste, CNT/Fullerene based treatment technology for wastewater treatment and disposal, including residuals disposal. Dr. S. J. Chopra, Chancellor, UPES, believes this project is need based aiming to provide quality water, generate awareness for proper water utilization, purification in daily use and develop technological solutions. This will also help strengthen the collaboration between researchers and industry of both countries. A long term solution and its expected propagation around the affected areas will help in significantly reducing the water related diseases in the examined areas. UPES from India and Ecole Nationale Superieure d'Ingenieurs de Poitiers (ENSIP) from France are the Principal Coordinators. Joint collaborators of the project are Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Venza Water Management Solutions from India and Universite de Rennes 1, Institut Europeen des Membranes (IEM), WASTE & WATER SARL from France. University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) was established in the year 2003 through UPES Act, 2003 of the State Legislature of Uttarakhand. UPES is recognized by University Grants Commission (UGC) under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956 and accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). UPES offers graduate and post graduate courses in the high-growth sectors like oil and gas, power, infrastructure, information technology, transportation, electronics, high technology, design, business, planning and architecture, public policy, legal studies and more. Because of its multi disciplinary courses, UPES graduates are a preferred choice for the industries. UPES has maintained a consistent placement track record of 85 percent+ placements year on year. This demonstrates UPES' commitment, quality of students, and the holistic approach of its dedicated faculty. (ANI)