CONSIDERING the increasing prices of cement and steel, the scientists of CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) should focus on conducting research to find viable alternatives to these two commodities, said Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and MSMEs. G a d k a r i was addressing the virtual e v e n t o r g a n i s e d to mark 63rd foundation day of NEERI, o n Thursday. Dr Shekhar C Mande, Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Secretary, DSIR; Dr Jitendra J Jadhav, Director, CSIR-NAL; and Dr Rakesh Kumar, Director, CSIR-NEERI, were present prominently on this occasion. Gadkari said that his ministry was planning to reduce use of cement and steel and to make mandatory the use of coir and jute nets in road construction.

 

Besides, use of fly ash and bamboo will be increased. He called for deployment of green technologies to improve environment and economy. He praised the NEERI for contributions to environment and society involving ‘Namami Gange’ programme and Green National Highways Corridor Project. He urged CSIR to extend the outcome of research for betterment of the society through communication, coordination and co-operation. Social media could be very effective tool in this regard, he added. The Union Minister stressed upon the need for developing e c o n o m i - cally viable g r e e n h y d r o g e n as clean energy.

 

He p r a i s e d CSIR instit u t e s i n c l u d i n g NEERI for striving to develop green technologies in line with the Government’s mission to achieve sustainable development. He highlighted the prospects of adding value to carbon dioxide while managing solid and liquid waste. He suggested to develop specific training programmes in the area of tree transplantation and its management to generate employment and also support environment. He advised CSIR to contribute more for MSMEs, and also urged CSIR Director General to share knowledge to address road sector, farm sector and waste management. Dr Jadhav elucidated environmental concerns of aviation sector wherein waste management and indoor air quality were of utmost importance. He urged NEERI scientists to take up challenges in this sector, and highlighted the work of lake cleaning using ‘Jaldost’ initiative being implemented in Bangalore and Niwari of UP. Dr Rakesh Kumar outlined the Research and Development activities of NEERI in last 63 years. He assured that NEERI would emerge as a global leader in the area of environmental science and engineering as various steps had already been taken up for repositioning. NEERI Foundation Day Awards were announced on this occasion to NEERI staff for their significant contributions. Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred to Baba Deshpande for service to society. Dr J P Gupta also received Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Indian chemical industry and environment. The winning students of the quiz and storyboard competition were also announced.

 

They include: Category I (Class VIII-X) -- Anjali N Sonekar, Chanda Devi Saraf School, Nagpur (first), Aarush Das Bansiwal, Delhi Public School, Nagpur and Sushrut Gajanan Khadse, NEERI Modern School (share second prize), and Sidhi Sontakke, Navodaya Vidyalaya, Wardha (third). Category II (Class XI-XII) -- Divya Bhande, Centre Point School, Nagpur (first), Adarsh Upadhyay, Kendriya Vidyalaya-CISF, Bhilai (second), and Nidhi Thakur, St Ursula School, Nagpur (third). Dr Atya Kapley, Senior Principal Scientist and Head, DRC, NEERI delivered the welcome address and Dr A NVaidya, Chief Scientist and Head, CHWMD, NEERI proposed a vote of thanks. Dr Amit Bansiwal, Senior Principal Scientist and Head, SEAF, NEERI announced the awards. 

 

BioSEM Lab dedicated to nation BIOLOGICAL Solutions for Environmental Management (BioSEM) Lab and The Energy and Resource Management (ERM) Facility, wherein research and development activities for sustainable energy management and exploring the inter-related aspects of environmental systems will be taken up, were dedicated to the nation during the virtual event of NEERI Foundation Day. BioSEM Lab will help in resolving bottlenecks related to largescale application of micro-organisms to detoxify, degrade, and remove environmental contaminants. The ERM Facility will focus on generation and efficient utilisation of cleaner energy, rural energy needs, and development of energy-efficient environmental technologies with minimum footprint. The facilities will be instrumental in developing and promoting economic and environment-friendly clean and green technologies in the country. 

 

‘NEERI involved in sewage surveillance for COVID-19’ DR SHEKHAR C Mande, Director General of CSIR, informed the attendees of the virtual event that NEERI was involved in sewage surveillance for COVID-19 in association with CCMB. He also spoke about immense contributions of NEERI towards society, industry and judiciary. He also announced that CSIR had given in-principle approval to setting up National Centre of Excellence for Carbon Capture, Use and Storage at CSIR-NEERI.