Sunday, May 31, 2015

Online emergency help for disaster management

India has been experiencing many large scale disasters in recent years and has proved to be a capable of sumounting these challenges and even helping neighbouring countries in relief and rehabilitation works. In India there are two main national level agencies for disaster management i.e disastermanagement.org and ndmindia.nic.in. Still it is necessary to build a robust and quick response network for coordinating various government and private agencies in this task and streamline process of decision making and deployment of machinery, manpower and goods to affected area in shortest time.

In 2002, when I was working in Walchand college of Engineering, I was assigned a job of organizing student group to work as volunteers in building Disaster Response Network, an initiative taken by Hindustan Construction Company in coordinating construction and transportation companies in India for providing location specific immediate help to disaster management work.The idea was innovative. Disaster relief efforts are most effective when local resources are leveraged by all  resources available nearby with private companies or organizations.

The DRN was defined as follows

The Disaster Response Network (DRN) is a network of engineering and transportation
companies who are committed to assist humanitarian organizations with their disaster relief efforts by providing infrastructure-related and transportation services.

Disasters occur at any place causing sudden damage to property and loss of life. They can be   small like fire, building collapse, accident, bomb blast or they may be covering large area due to natural calamities like earthquake, cyclones,  land slides, flood etc. The main requirement in many cases is vehicles for transport of affected people or relief teams, heavy construction machinery like cranes, safety appliances, supply of food, medicines, shelter materials etc.

Generally the district collector has to organize the relief efforts  through district level Disaster Management team. He mobilizes the resources available with government agencies as regards manpower, machinery, vehicles.The private construction companies engaged in nearby infrastructure projects and transportation companies operative in the area can provide the machinery and manpower without any time delay due to orders and permissions if  such companies are bound by DRN guidelines.This could strengthen district disaster management team in its efforts to provide immediate relief to affected victims and speedy rehabilitation.


It was decided to collect information about resource availability with private construction and transport companies in India by contacting them and getting a questionnaire filled up. It was also planned to visit state government agencies and build amutual understanding for fixing the modalities of harnessing such help. Stundets travelling and lodging expenses were to be borne by HCC. I was very excited to work on this project.I had formed a group of student volunteers and we collected lot of information about disaster management at that time from internet sources, professors at NICMAR, Pune and HCC engineers. We found that there are many international agencies working for disaster management and are ready to cooperate with national agencies with financial and other forms of help.

 We had prepared detailed questionnaire for collecting resource data from companies.The format was
Type of Disaster - Earthquake
Items    Available, -  If Yes, Quantity -    Location -   Time for deployment

   The list of items for earthquake relief was as follows -

Metal Cutters, Gas Cutters, Masks, Cranes of different pay loads, Ambulances, Communication system, Tipper for taking debris, Cameras, Ladders, Ropes, Bulldozer, J.C.B., Gumboots, Helmets, Stretchers, Gloves, Oxygen cylinder, Fire Extinguisher, Disinfection Equipments, Shuttering, Angels, Scaffolding, Fuel, Trekking equip., Water tankers, Generators, Mobile batteries, Sensors, Fire brigade, roofing sheets, Asbestos sheets, Empty drums etc.

Similar lists were made for all types of disasters.

 The project was progressing well. But university examinations came in the way. As the examination approached the student volunteers stopped coming for the work. I was discouraged. I could not pursue the students to join the project as it was voluntary participation. I had to inform the HCC about my inability of continuing the work.  Even engineers at HCC who had planned their tour programs were unhappy.  It is learned later, that HCC carried out the project with the help of IIT, Mumbai.


I do not know what is the present status of the project. But I sincerely feel that it is a really necessary project and should be established as a broad based NGO with employment of young engineering graduates who are in search of job. The scope of the project  may be made comprehensive to include health and food requirements.  This will help the government agencies in tackling disasters and providing immediate relief works and would aid in long term project of renovation and rehabilitation.


With the advancement of information technology in last 12 years, new sensors and remote data communication systems have made the task of such coordination very easy and full advantage of such online data collection systems, GIS, Cloud data mining and analyzing  services should betaken to make such organization a nodal agency in providing effective relief work in disaster affected area.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Controlling environmental pollution by online monitoring


Prevention and control of pollution is the main objective of state and central pollution control boards. However,  in spite of various regulations and restrictions for discharge of pollutants,  there is unabated gross pollution of major rivers in India due to city sewage and industrial wastes.  The reasons for such failure in preventing pollution may be related to inadequate manpower  and machinery available with the pollution control boards in physically monitoring effluents and stack emissions from large number of industrial units.

Now Central Pollution Control Board has taken a welcome step to enforce continuous online monitoring systems for effluents and stack emissions, where the data will be transmitted directly to Central and State Pollution Control Boards without any human intervention or tampering. CPCB has laid guidelines for such compulsory monitoring systems for 17 categories of highly polluting industries such as Pulp & paper, Distillery, Sugar, Tanneries, Power plants, Cement, Oil Refineries etc. ( Ref: Guidelines for Real- time Effluent Quality Monitoring System Released by CPCB on 7-11-2014 and Specifications and guidelines for continuous emission monitoring Released by CPCB dated 22-11-2013)

For industrial effluents from high polluting industries, the guidelines envisage

•    Installation of online effluent quality monitoring system at the outlet of the identified units for the measurement of the parameters, pH, COD, BOD and other sector specific parameters and transmission of online data so generated to SPCB/PCC and CPCB as well.

•    Installation of surveillance system with industrial grade IP cameras having PAN, Tilt Zoom ( PTZ)  with leased line real time connection for data streaming and transmission of the same.

•    Ensure regular maintenance and operation of the online system with tamper proof mechanism having facilities for online calibration.

For stack emissions, Ministry of Environment and Forests has initiated an important project to design and evaluate a pilot emissions trading scheme (ETS) for particulate matter from stationary sources, in collaboration with three states – Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, with the Central Pollution Control Board as nodal agency for overall implementation of the program.

The responsibility of installing necessary hardware and software lies with individual industrial units. The instrument supplier will facilitate data transmission on behalf of industries. Industry will have to ensure at least 85 % data availability from system installed. The vendors/ instrument suppliers will have to install their server in SPCB/PCCs and CPCB for transferring data from the real time system.

Though above regulations have been made mandatory for industries in Ganga river basin, the same will be made compulsory in near future for all industries. Though the necessary software and hardware technology is not available in India, many companies from Germany, US and Japan have established their offices to provide such services. Considering "Make in India" mission, the IT industry and software companies in India should develop such gadgets and technology, as there will be great demand in near future for such products and services.

Online surveillance of effluent quality and stack emission of particulates will provide instant information about pollution to state and central pollution control boards and this will help them to take necessary steps for control of pollution.

Thus new online monitoring and data transmission systems  developed by modern information technology can overcome present drawbacks  in  physical  monitoring  and would help in  effective control of pollution and preservation of environmental quality at a much lower cost and with high reliability.

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Recap of my technical experience Part - IV (1998-2003)


This period was most crucial in my college career. Dr. Subbarao became Principal of college and responsibility of managing environmental laboratory and consultancy work  was put on me.  College was awarded autonomy status under TECHQUIP / NPIU  scheme and we had to prepare many project reports for development of infrastructure.

We had  to design Sheri Nalla project for Sangli under National River Action Plan scheme which included survey and development of design software for various units including  sewerage system, nalla diversion works, sump and pump house, rising main and  stabilization ponds.

Subsequently I got promoted to Professor in Civil Dept and more responsibilities were put on me as Dean R. & D.  College administration asked me to lead a project of DRN (Disaster Response Network) promoted by confederation of construction industries.  The idea was to train students who will visit various states and construction companies and compile data on available resources which could be deployed without any delay and procedural hurdles in case of major disaster. I formed one team and prepared questionnaire for collection of resource data. Unfortunately our participation in the project could not be implemented  due to engagement of students in examination.

After retirement of Dr. Subbarao, I had to bear the responsibility of Head of Civil Engg. Dept. There was NBA accreditation for our department and my colleagues helped me a lot to get success in accreditation.

I had started Dnyandeep Infotech Pvt. Ltd.,  a software development company in 2000. I retired from the college in 2003 and started working full time for the company.

Recap of my technical experience Part - III (1987-1997)

 The period from 1987 to 1997 was full with variety of activities both in college and our environmental protection research foundation.


With the help of our post graduate students, we expanded our consultancy activities to many different types of industries.

Engineering industries – Ghadge-Patil Industries and Kolhapur Steel Mills in Kolhapur, Rollay mills in Aurangabad, Racold appliances, S.K. Bearings, Kirloskar Oil Engines in Pune, Nagarjun Steel and Alwyn in Hyderabad. We gave designs for removal of iron from steel mill waste, Cynide and chromium removal from heat treatment wastes, Oil removal plants for bearings etc.

Textile industries – Madhavnagar Cotton Mills, Small Textile units and  Yashavant Process in Ichakaranji. The treatment flowsheet included segregation mercerizing , kier and dye wastes and separate treatments like neutralization , aerobic treatment and anaerobic treatment .

Pulp and paper industry – Datta Pulp and Paper Industry, Aurangabad paper industry, Jolly Board, Sangli, Warana Paper and pulp unit, Padamji Pulp and paper unit, Pune. The treatment included floatation and settling for paper effluent  with recycling and anerobic followed by aerobic treatment for pulp waste.

Dairy – Warana Dairy. Miraj Dairy Extended aeration system

Tannery wastes from small tannery units in Kolhapur – Removal of chromium

Slaughter house Waste – Koregaon Slaughter house – Anaerobic treatment

Anaerobic lagoon technology , though proved to be most effective in removing pollution load was well accepted by distilleries needed modifications to prevent ground water and air pollution. It was found that mere provision of black cotton layer at bottom and in the core of embankments was not enough. We introduced plastic lining at the bottom to prevent ground water pollution. In order to hold the plastic sheet in place, we recommended brick lining or laying of stone slabs. In order to prevent air pollution and loss of biogas to atmosphere, covering of lagoons was done in Ugar Sugar works. The biogas trapped in the floating plastic sheet was used in boiler.

Incineration plants were installed at Gadhinglaj and Krishna S.S. K. Ltd. But the plants cost and maintenance proved the options not feasible.  A new option of aerobic composting of spentwash with sugar factory pressmud gave promising results and extensive research was conducted on this technology to make it techno-economically feasible.  Distilleries readily adopted this new technology. Research was conducted to prepare bacterial culture for enhancing the rate of composting. EPRF established a pilot scale plant in Kupwad MIDC for preparing such culture on large scale.

Environmental status studies for Pandharpur and Kolhapur cities and Krishna pollution detection camp  were the main projects completed in this period.

Water Treatment - Design of Water treatment plants at Kopargaon S.S.K.Ltd, Sanjivani S.S.K.Ltd., Rahuri S.S.K.Ltd, Village Padmale, Tilarinagar, Walchandnagar

 We also prepared a Comprehensive Sugar Document  under project sponsored by Dept of Envt. And Forests, New Delhi

We conducted many more training programs and workshops for technocrats of industries in subjects of Water and Wastewater analysis, Waste treatment technologies and Legal Control laws. In order to create a separate platform with virtual training as main objective, we registered a new public trust " International School of Environmental Management Studies" under the presidentship of Dr. Subbarao and launched a website www.enviroschool.org with the help of our Dnyandeep Infotech Pvt. Ltd.to provide such education.

On the college front, I was given Engineering Management subject for teaching degree students and I could learn many crucial aspects of project planning, optimization techniques, business management, financial analysis and leadership. I liked the subject and soon mastered the PERT and CPM techniques. I had an opportunity to teach engineers at Central Design Office of Irrigation Dept in Mumbai. along with Dr. P.A. Kulkarni, Prof. Santpur, Prof. Jogalekar. We also conducted short term courses for students.

 My entry to computer programming also due to my inclusion in computer group of college. We had one month training in COBOL and Unix system at Bangalore. College purchased Omni computer and we undertook job of software development for examination system for Shivaji University.  We also conducted many Computer diploma courses for teachers of other colleges during this period.   

Recap of my technical experience Part – II (1977-1987)

After my return to Sangli in 1976, I joined Dr. Subbarao in consultancy activities of Environmental Engineering.  Prof. J. M. Gadgil also joined our environmental team.  During the period from 1977 to 1987, we completed many research and consultancy projects in water and wastewater treatment and monitoring of Krishna river pollution. Fortunately we had assistance of our post graduate students and we used to give them research projects based on some consultancy assignment . Our major focus of consultancy was on Sugar and Distillery Waste treatment. 

Dr. Subbarao developed economical and effective method of treating distillery spent wash using anaerobic lagoons.  Though the system is not now considered as full proof solution and had issues of ground and air pollution, it was the only method available at that time and could reduce 90% COD  without any power input and its construction cost was very low. Most of the industries adopted this process and we had very busy schedule of meeting their demands of technical advice.

In 1980, we worked as associate consultants to Kirloskar consultants, Pune for their project of Waste Treatment Plant Design for Hindustan Antibiotic factory. The factory did not allow us to study the inside manufacturing process for assessing waste sources under the alibi of secrecy. We had to do waste characterization based on the final outflow. The system was quite elaborate based on activated sludge process and we were involved in the project from planning to commissioning of the plant.

Though Walchand College of Engineering was permitting us to do consultancy, we thought that a separate organization should be established to carry on the work of research and development in this field. Accordingly, we established , a public trust named Environmental Protection Research Foundation in 1981 and developed a public health laboratory with independent staff and technicians.

 With the new setup, we could conduct many research activities and training programmes in Environmental Engineering for technical personnel, pollution control officers and decision makers in local bodies.

 Following list indicates the courses and training programs conducted by EPRF in the period from 1981 to 1986.
1. Training on "Environmental Protection in Sugar Industry" for Water Pollution Control Board Officers from 10th to 22nd April, 1983.
2.  Seminar on"Environmental Protection in Sugar Industry" for technologists from 1st to 5th July, 1983.
3. Seminar on "Pollution Problems in Sugar Industry" for Directors of Sugar Factories on 4th Sept, 1983.(Program conducted in Marathi).
4.    Seminar on "Distillery Waste Management" from 8th to 12th Oct., 1983.
5.    Training on "Analysis procedures and maintenance Techniques of Effluent Treatment Plant" for laboratory chemists from 1st to 15th Aug 1984.
6.    Seminar on "Sugar and Distillery Waste Water Treatment - A Critical review" on 20th and 21st Apr., 1985 at Bombay.
7.    Training on "Analysis Procedures and Maintenance Techniques of Efluent Treatment Plant" for Laboratory Chemists from 25th June to 4th July, 1985.
8.    Training on "Analysis Procedures and Maintenance Techniques of Effluent Treatment Plant" for Laboratory Chemists from 1st to 25th Feb., 1986.
9.    All India workshop on "Effluent Treatment Plants Failure Causes and Remedial Measures" on 26th and 27th Apr., 1987.
10. A Workshop on "Recent Development in Waste Water Treatment in Industry" on 8th Dec, at Pune.
11. A workshop on "Public Awareness on Pollution Control Techniques" on 15th Dec, 1986 at Thane.
12. Training on "Analysis Procedures and Maintenance Techniques of Effluent Treatment Plant" for Laboratory Chemists from 1st to 31st ' Mar., 1987.
13.  Workshop on "Industrial Waste Water Technologies" from 25th to 31st Mar., 1987 at Sangli.


In 1987, we took a major step in arranging 7 day study tour of directors from Sugar factories to Bangkok and Singapore.  The idea was to educate the decision makers about advanced pollution control technologies adopted by distillery and paper industries in those countries. We also conducted two day conference in association with Chulalukong University about waste treatment practices in agro-based industries. We could see spent wash incineration technology and efficient waste treatment plants for pulp and paper units. The 32 participants included many chairmen and directors of sugar factories.  The visit gave us broad vision for future technology to be adopted in India.

 As for myself, it was an amazing experience for me . It was my first foreign tour. I have written my observations and feelings about the trip in three blogs in Marathi viz.

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Recap of my technical experience Part – I (1966-1976)

 I joined Walchand College of Engg. In 1966, immediately after completing my B.E. Civil in the same college. I was assigned the job of conducting survey practicals. I could learn many basic principles of surveying ,  handling of instruments and  methodology of conducting field surveys.

 My participation in survey and design of lift irrigation schemes gave me lot of real life experience during our week long survey camps in undeveloped barren area.

 Dr. Subbarao joined the college in the same year. He had done M.S. in environmental engineering  from Oklahoma state university in USA. I was interested in doing post graduate study. Hence, I shifted my interest from surveying to environmental engineering and started assisting Dr. Subbarao in his efforts to establish Environmental Engineering wing in our civil dept.  We started small environmental laboratory in partitioned compartment of classroom.  We used to work on weekend holidays and after college hours in the lab.

In order to get hands on technical knowledge in water and wastewater analysis, I used my summer vacation in 1967 to take practical training for two months at NEERI, Nagpur.  I could get family accommodation at my colleague Prof. Shridhar Karandikar’s  home in Nagpur, where his parents were staying.  I could get guidance of many scientists at NEERI during my stay there and I could observe working of national research institute.

I completed my M.E. Civil Environmental Engg under guidance of Dr. Subbarao in 1969. My research project was on  Secondary treatment of Septic tank effluent with percolating filters and I conducted my experiments on field scale by constructing  percolating filters for treating septic tank effluent from students hostels.

I could get opportunity of three months field work training  under QIP scheme in 1972 at  Hindustan Construction Company in their construction project of New Filtration Plant at  Parvati Water Works, Pune.

In 1973, I was selected for Ph.D.  at IIT, Kanpur under Quality Improvement Programme.  I did PhD research work at IIT Kanpur on conversion  of full scale rapid sand filter into coal-sand dual media filter at Kanpur Water Works.

I used to go early morning to Kanpur water works and spend entire day with engineers, water chemists and and filter operators. I could learn the daily problems in operation of water treatment plants, routine water testing and maintenance of registers. I had to get 55 tonnes of coal from nearby power station, get it crushed and graded to prepare 15 tonnes of coal with required specifications. I had made sampling arrangement by providing vertical widow in the wall of filter. I was also conducting bench scale experiments at IIT laboratory for comparing rapid sand filter with coal sand filter columns with different operating conditions. This work was done in the night after returning from city.

My guide for the project was Dr. G. D. Agrawal and he taught me how to translate laboratory scale research to field scale trial and develop design norms for augmentation of water treatment plants.  I could get best speaker award for my paper in  National Convention of Institute of Public Health Engineers at Calcutta in 1975. The award was given to me in second convention at New Delhi in 1976 at the hands of Hon. Minister Shri. Karan Sigh. The photos below show award receiving and my family in conference hall.

 After my return to Sangli in 1976, I joined Dr. Subbarao in consultancy activities of Environmental Engineering.