Meghdoot Technology:  Five kiosks each will be set up in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Dadar while four in Thane, one each in Kurla, Ghatkopar, and Vikhroli. Meghdoot-AWG uses new technology to convert water vapor in the air into fresh and clean drinking water. 

Water From Air: Drinking water will now be available with new technology at six railway stations in the Mumbai Division of Central Railway. The water at these stations will be fed by an UN-accredited technology that produces water from the air. Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) ‘Meghdoot’ is a device that extracts water from ambient air using the science of condensation. This water will now be made available at railway stations. In June this year, the initiative was recognized by the United Nations Global Compact as the leader of the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for water management in India.

Maitri Aquatech Pvt Ltd has been awarded a five-year contract under the ‘New, Innovative Non-Fare Revenue Earning Scheme’ (NINFRIS) for the installation of 17 ‘Meghdoot’ AWG kiosks in the Mumbai Division of Central Railway, an official said. Is. Railways will be given a license fee of Rs 25.5 lakh per year (Rs 1.5 lakh per kiosk) for kiosks in six-station premises.

These stations will be installed

Five kiosks each will be set up at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Dadar, while four in Thane, one each in Kurla, Ghatkopar, and Vikhroli.

Meghdoot-AWG uses new technology to convert water vapor in the air into fresh and clean drinking water. The technology works in a different variety of environment temperatures (18°C – 45°C) and relative humidity conditions (25 percent to 100 percent). The device starts providing water within a few hours of being switched on and produces 1000 liters of water a day so it can be used as an instant solution for potable water.

Passengers will get the benefit

The idea is for travelers to use the kiosk as a water-filling center for their bottles or containers at a fixed cost. Here one can fill water by paying five rupees for 300 ml of water, eight rupees for half a liter, and 12 rupees for one liter of water. Apart from this, if someone needs it, he can buy water in a bottle. In this situation, Rs 7 will have to be paid for 300 ml, Rs 12 for 500 ml, and Rs 15 for a liter bottle.

Naveen Mathur, CEO, of Maitri Aquatech Pvt Ltd said, “This technology does not rely on known sources of water. We are tapping the original source of water, so it is a nature-based solution. There is no wastage of water. This is a sustainable technology. It’s like having water factories at stations.” He indicated that railway zones other than the Central Railway are also considering setting up such water kiosks but declined to give details.