Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh has launched India’s first Saline Water Lantern which uses the sea water as the electrolyte between specially designed electrodes to power the LED lamps.
- He unveiled the first-of-its kind lantern named “Roshni” during a visit to SAGAR ANVESHIKA, a Coastal Research Vessel, operated and used by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai for coastal research.
- The Minister said, Saline Water Lantern will bring “Ease of Living” to the poor and needy, particularly the fishing community living along the 7500 Kilometres long coastal line of India.
- Saline Water Lantern will also boost and supplement UJALA scheme launched in 2015 for distribution of LED bulbs across the country.
- Dr Jitendra Singh also reviewed the progress of NIOT developed Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) technology for conversion of sea water to potable water, which has been successfully demonstrated in Lakshadweep islands.
- He informed that three desalination plants based on the LTTD technology have been developed and demonstrated at Kavaratti, Agati and Minicoy Islands of Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
- The capacity of each of these LTTD plants is 1 Lakh litre of potable water per day.
