Sikkim gets ceramic membrane plant for drinking water
Minister calls for public participation

SE Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, November 20: Appreciating the effort of the State Science and Technology Department in the successful experiment of Ceramic Membrane Plant at Marchak, near Ranipool, the department Minister Bhim Dhungel said the initiative will help provide job opportunities to the unemployed youth in Sikkim.
He said this after inaugurating the ceramic membrane plant at the premises of Sikkim Science Center at Marchak, few kilometres from here.
Calling for more participation from the people in making the water purification plant a successful venture, the minister said, the SDF government led by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling shall leave no stone unturned in making Sikkim a water pollution free state. Mr. Dhungel added that all assured all possible help to promote bottled water in the State.
The first of its kind of experiment in purifying the water in Sikkim have been initiated by Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (CGCRI), Kolkata and have been sponsored by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
Later while addressing a workshop on performance of community model plants for supply of quality drinking water, Dr. Sibdas Bandhopadhaya, the senior scientist of CGCRI said, the technology is capable of treating ground water containing higher concentration of arsenic and iron and the level of purification is achieved as per World Health Organization recommendation.
Dr. GJ Samanatham, the advisor to the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India said, Sikkim is the 16th State in the North East Region to implement the ceramic membrane plant. “Although the technology was lately introduced in Sikkim, I am sure it will give a steady run,” he added.
Mentioning that the plant has come as a blessing in disguise for the unemployed youth in Sikkim he said, the bottling and the marketing of the water would bring more profit for them. At the same time, he encouraged opting bio-degradable bottles for the bottling of the waters.
The Secretary of the State Science and Technology Department ML Arrawatia on his part informed that the department is in the process of demonstrating several science-related programmes. He said, Sikkim will soon have its own Bio-Technology research centre at Sajong, Rumtek with more automatic weather stations in the block development centres.