Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, June 9, 2025, Kolkata:
As water scarcity becomes an increasingly urgent global issue, a groundbreaking innovation by Indian scientists has opened new possibilities for sustainable water access. Amid rising demand for clean drinking water driven by population growth, environmental degradation, and climate change, researchers from IIT Madras, in collaboration with the startup ‘Tirtha’, have developed a pioneering device called ‘Niro’—a solar-powered Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) that extracts potable water from air humidity without consuming any electricity.‘Niro’ operates entirely on solar energy and can produce between 5 to 10 liters of purified drinking water per day. The device functions by using solar panels to absorb sunlight throughout the day, which in turn powers a cooling mechanism that condenses atmospheric moisture. The resulting liquid then passes through a filtration system to yield clean, drinkable water.
This technology holds particular significance for India, where many remote and underserved regions struggle with access to safe drinking water. Transporting water to arid zones, high-altitude villages, isolated islands, and disaster-affected areas presents major logistical and financial challenges. ‘Niro’ offers a decentralized, eco-friendly, and low-maintenance solution with the potential to bring transformative change to these communities.
Key features of the device include:
Completely solar-powered
Carbon-neutral operation
No reliance on grid electricity
Minimal maintenance with long-term sustainability
Initial field trials in select remote locations have shown promising results. According to the developers, ‘Niro’ has the potential to become a vital asset in schools, healthcare centers, army outposts, and rural households. Future plans include scaling production and further reducing costs to make the technology more accessible for everyday use in villages and low-income settings.
A co-founder of ‘Tirtha’ remarked, “Our mission is to ensure safe drinking water for every citizen. We are working towards lowering production costs to make ‘Niro’ affordable for all, especially rural families.”
As climate experts warn that future conflicts may be driven by water scarcity, innovations like ‘Niro’ represent a crucial step toward sustainable, decentralized water generation. By capturing moisture from the air—a resource available even in arid conditions—this device offers a silent yet powerful revolution in environmental science and public health.
Scientists and environmentalists are optimistic that such eco-friendly technologies will play a central role in combating India’s—and the world’s—water crisis. More than just a technological invention, ‘Niro’ symbolizes a move toward sustainable development by harnessing nature’s elements for human well-being.
The innovation from IIT Madras and ‘Tirtha’ demonstrates that with scientific vision and environmental consciousness, it is possible to find real, scalable solutions to some of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. As this solar-powered device begins to reach more corners of the country, it carries the promise of a better, more hydrated future.
