Inauguration of 3rd Smart toilet at Durgapur High School under IIEST Project

A Smart Toilet facility constructed at Durgapur High School in the Narayankhamar area of West Tripura was inaugurated on Thursday, 3^rd September 2026. The initiative was undertaken with financial assistance from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, with the objective of developing sustainable and technologically advanced sanitation infrastructure for the school.

The facility was developed through a collaborative effort of the NB Institute for Rural Technology (NBIRT) and the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur.

Key Features of the Smart Toilet

The Smart Toilet has been designed to address various engineering challenges associated with water supply, ventilation and maintenance of sanitation infrastructure, particularly in resource-constrained environments.

The structure incorporates ferrocement architecture, which is designed to reduce embedded energy and installation costs while maintaining adequate tensile strength and durability compared with conventional brick structures.

A dedicated solar energy system has been installed to power the water pump. The facility also incorporates integrated sensors that continuously monitor the overhead water reservoir and automatically operate the pump whenever required, thereby helping to maintain an optimum water level.

Inauguration and Address

The facility was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Shantipada Ghosh Chowdhury, an internationally recognised renewable energy expert and Chairman of the Energy Experts Committee of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Speaking at the programme, Prof. Chowdhury emphasised the importance of reducing carbon dioxide emissions to protect the environment. He stressed the need to promote the use of solar energy and highlighted the collective responsibility of society to ensure that future generations inherit a clean and pollution-free planet.

He further explained that the Smart Toilet would receive water through a solar-powered pump. He also noted that excess water generated through the system could potentially be utilised for the mid-day meal programme and drinking purposes, thereby promoting efficient water management.

Participation and Guidance

Tanushree Bhattacharya, General Manager, NABARD, also attended the programme and advised the students to take proper care of the newly installed facility. She emphasised the importance of maintaining the infrastructure and ensuring that the resources provided through the project are used responsibly.

The inauguration programme was also attended by Dr. Richik Ghosh Thakur, Research Scientist, NBIRT, and Kapil Baran Ghosh, Vice-President, NBIRT, along with other members associated with the initiative.

Conclusion

The inauguration of the Smart Toilet at Durgapur High School marks an important step towards introducing sustainable sanitation infrastructure and renewable-energy-based technology in educational institutions. The integration of ferrocement construction, solar-powered water pumping and automated sensor-based water management makes the facility an innovative model for sanitation in resource-constrained areas.

The initiative not only addresses the sanitation and water-management needs of the school but also creates awareness among students about renewable energy, environmental protection, responsible resource utilisation and sustainable development. The successful collaboration between NBIRT and IIEST, Shibpur, with support from the Ministry of Science and Technology, demonstrates the potential of technological innovation in improving community infrastructure and quality of life.