NAL launches innovative Jal Dost to tackle city's lake pollution

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Bengaluru's ongoing battle with polluted lakes has environmentalists frequently holding the BBMP accountable for the deteriorating water bodies.

Fish dying due to water contamination is a common occurrence, and numerous complaints have been lodged regarding the state of the city's lakes.

However, a glimmer of hope emerges as NAL (National Aerospace Laboratories) unveils an ingenious solution to combat these issues. In the presence of VK Saraswat, Member of Niti Aayog, the remarkable Jal Dost (also known as Jalamitra in Kannada) was launched, promising a revolutionary approach to restore and develop Bengaluru's lakes.

The device is designed to enter the lakes and efficiently remove plastic and debris, restoring them to their pristine state. One of Jal Dost's key features is a water-friendly propeller, enabling smooth movement within the lakes during the cleanup process.

The vehicle has already garnered interest, and NAL plans to offer it for sale at an approximate price range of 80 to 90 lakh rupees. It is expected to be ready for deployment within the next two months.

BBMP officials have already engaged in talks with the NAL team and have given the green signal to procure the Jal Dost. Once operational, this remarkable vehicle will demonstrate its capabilities in action. It enters the water on a boat, and equipped with an e-vehicle chopper, efficiently cuts through garbage, plastics, and floating leaves.

The Jal Dost's impressive loading capacity of about 5 tons allows it to collect significant amounts of waste before unloading.

The introduction of Jal Dost brings hope to the city's ongoing struggle with lake pollution and reflects the power of innovation in addressing environmental challenges.