BENGALURU: Punit Singh, associate professor at the Centre for Sustainable Technologies (CST), IISc, in Bengaluru, has unveiled a revolutionary solution to tackle irrigation challenges without relying on electricity — a technology that will specifically prove a breakthrough for Chhattisgarh’s agriculture.
Chhattisgarh, grappling with irrigation scarcity, is set to benefit from Singh’s decade-long efforts as the technology was unveiled as part of partnership signed between IISc’s Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID) and Chhattisgarh Water Resources Department (WRD).
The partnership was aimed at expanding water resource management and irrigation infrastructure. The collaboration covers areas such as Karhani, Neelawaram, and Pongro, promising a transformative impact.
But why the effort? Chhattisgarh, despite its access to river water from the Ganga, Godavari, and Mahanadi basins, faces a stark disparity in reservoir-based irrigation. Singh’s project, initiated in Taipadar village, Bastar district, introduces a sustainable water pumping system that operates entirely without electricity.
“The innovation involves low-head check dams and cascades along rivers, featuring turbine pumps that utilise 90% of the river water flow to generate torque and speed, subsequently driving standard submersible multistage pumps. Singh’s meticulous design adapts to varying site conditions, lifting and transporting water to elevations ranging from 15 to 30 metres,” IISc said on Thursday.
Having started his work on turbine pumps during his PhD in Germany, Singh returned to India in 2009, pioneering the deployment of ram pumps in Chhattisgarh. Generously sponsored by the KSB Pumps Trust in Germany, Singh invested significantly in the project, witnessing success in Taipadar, Girdalpara, and Karhani.
In December 2022, FSID and WRD partnered to address the issue. “This collaboration supports the project at large. For instance, the responsibility of site work, civil works, and delegating logistical implementation of the turbine will be handled by the state,” Singh said.
That is, IISc focuses on turbine design, leaving site work, civil works, and logistical implementation to the state. The collaboration streamlines the administrative process, ensuring efficient fund allocation and distribution.
“IISc, in collaboration with government officials, will test the quality of turbines from various vendors at a designated simulation facility. This partnership facilitates essential training for local resources, with the goal of installing one or two pumps on each dam over the next few years,” IISc said.
Over the next few years, the collaboration will focus on installing one or two pumps on each dam, along with piping, storage, and canal networks. “Building 25 per year is the first target and then based on the success, it could be scaled up to all the 400 or more dams,” Singh said.
Each project is expected to irrigate about 100-150 acres for rabi and summer crops depending on the conditions and design of the turbine and pumps. “The greatest benefit is that this will free farmers near the banks from using groundwater, allowing levels to rise. This technology is capable of being reproduced in large parts of India that offer perennial water flow,” Singh added.
The collaborative effort, involving key figures like B Gurumoorthy (Chief Executive, FSID) and officials from Chhattisgarh, marks a significant stride toward sustainable water management. As Singh asserts, this technology holds promise for replication in other parts of India with perennial water flow, signalling a new era for agricultural practices in water-scarce regions.
Chhattisgarh, grappling with irrigation scarcity, is set to benefit from Singh’s decade-long efforts as the technology was unveiled as part of partnership signed between IISc’s Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID) and Chhattisgarh Water Resources Department (WRD).
The partnership was aimed at expanding water resource management and irrigation infrastructure. The collaboration covers areas such as Karhani, Neelawaram, and Pongro, promising a transformative impact.
But why the effort? Chhattisgarh, despite its access to river water from the Ganga, Godavari, and Mahanadi basins, faces a stark disparity in reservoir-based irrigation. Singh’s project, initiated in Taipadar village, Bastar district, introduces a sustainable water pumping system that operates entirely without electricity.
“The innovation involves low-head check dams and cascades along rivers, featuring turbine pumps that utilise 90% of the river water flow to generate torque and speed, subsequently driving standard submersible multistage pumps. Singh’s meticulous design adapts to varying site conditions, lifting and transporting water to elevations ranging from 15 to 30 metres,” IISc said on Thursday.
Having started his work on turbine pumps during his PhD in Germany, Singh returned to India in 2009, pioneering the deployment of ram pumps in Chhattisgarh. Generously sponsored by the KSB Pumps Trust in Germany, Singh invested significantly in the project, witnessing success in Taipadar, Girdalpara, and Karhani.
In December 2022, FSID and WRD partnered to address the issue. “This collaboration supports the project at large. For instance, the responsibility of site work, civil works, and delegating logistical implementation of the turbine will be handled by the state,” Singh said.
That is, IISc focuses on turbine design, leaving site work, civil works, and logistical implementation to the state. The collaboration streamlines the administrative process, ensuring efficient fund allocation and distribution.
“IISc, in collaboration with government officials, will test the quality of turbines from various vendors at a designated simulation facility. This partnership facilitates essential training for local resources, with the goal of installing one or two pumps on each dam over the next few years,” IISc said.
Over the next few years, the collaboration will focus on installing one or two pumps on each dam, along with piping, storage, and canal networks. “Building 25 per year is the first target and then based on the success, it could be scaled up to all the 400 or more dams,” Singh said.
Each project is expected to irrigate about 100-150 acres for rabi and summer crops depending on the conditions and design of the turbine and pumps. “The greatest benefit is that this will free farmers near the banks from using groundwater, allowing levels to rise. This technology is capable of being reproduced in large parts of India that offer perennial water flow,” Singh added.
The collaborative effort, involving key figures like B Gurumoorthy (Chief Executive, FSID) and officials from Chhattisgarh, marks a significant stride toward sustainable water management. As Singh asserts, this technology holds promise for replication in other parts of India with perennial water flow, signalling a new era for agricultural practices in water-scarce regions.