**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Indian government's response to a parliamentary question regarding the deployment of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)'s water purification technologies in Odisha. The response, dated December 3, 2025, details the number and type of water purification units deployed, expansion plans, and collaboration plans with the Government of Odisha. There are no specific action items mentioned.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Deployment Details:**
* BARC has executed a pilot technology-demonstration project deploying low-cost membrane-based domestic water purification units (ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO) units) in rural areas of Odisha over the last three years through its technology licensees.
* Specifically, 500 RO units were deployed in Kalahandi district, and 238 UF units were deployed in Boudh district.
* In addition to the above, following community water purification units were also deployed in Odisha during the last three years:
* 4 RO-based water purification units in District Khordha.
* 3 RO-based water purification units in District Mayurbhanj.
* 1 RO-based water purification unit in District Boudh.
* **Expansion Plans:**
* BARC continues research and development of technologies, making spin-off technologies available to private entrepreneurs at a nominal fee for commercialization.
* BARC-developed water purification technologies have been transferred to more than 40 licensees across India.
* **Collaboration with Odisha Government:**
* No specific collaboration plans are stated (Nil).
**Impact Analysis**
**BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre)**
* **Impact:** BARC is recognized for its pilot project and its role in developing and deploying water purification technologies. BARC is pursuing research and development for further technological advancement.
* **Action Required:** Continue research, development, and licensing of water purification technologies.
**Private Entrepreneurs/Technology Licensees**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to commercialize BARC's water purification technologies.
* **Action Required:** Engage with BARC for technology transfer and commercialization opportunities.
**People of Odisha**
* **Impact:** Access to improved water purification technologies in fluoride and iron-affected regions.
* **Action Required:** None explicitly stated.
**Government of Odisha**
* **Impact:** The details of the deployment of water purification systems within Odisha are revealed, demonstrating collaboration with BARC.
* **Action Required:** None explicitly stated.
Key Entities Referenced
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC): Developed and deployed low-cost water purification technologies.
Odisha: The state where BARC's water purification units were deployed in fluoride/iron-affected regions.
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE): The parent organization of BARC, which executed the pilot project.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO - 47
ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025
DEPLOYMENT OF BARC’s WATER PURIFICATION UNITS
*47. SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-
(a) whether Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)’s low-cost water purification
technologies such as Nano-Filtration Units and Domestic Water Purifiers–have been
deployed in fluoride-affected or iron-affected regions of Odisha;
(b) if so, the number of units installed during the last three years, district-wise;
(c) whether the Government proposes to expand these technologies in rural and tribal
pockets of Odisha and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of any collaboration planned with the Government of Odisha for large-scale
adoption of BARC water treatment systems?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS
AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****Government of India
Department of Atomic Energy
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (A) TO (D) IN RESPECT OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.47 FOR REPLY ON 03.12.2025 REGARDING
“DEPLOYMENT OF BARC’S WATER PURIFICATION UNITS” ASKED BY SMT.
SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO.
(a) & (b) Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) a constituent Unit of Department of
Atomic Energy (DAE) has executed a pilot technology-demonstration project on
deployment of water purification technologies in rural & remote locations of India.
In this pilot project, BARC, through its technology licensees, has deployed low-
cost membrane-based domestic water purification units, including ultrafiltration
(UF) and reverse osmosis (RO) units, in two districts of Odisha in last three years.
The details are as mentioned below :
1. 500 nos. of reverse osmosis (RO)-based domestic water purification units were
deployed in Dist. Kalahandi, Odisha.
2. 238 nos. of ultrafiltration (UF)-based domestic water purification units were
deployed in District Boudh, Odisha.
Other than the above, following community water purification units, mentioned
below, were also deployed in Odisha during the last three years :
a. 4 nos. of RO-based water purification units in District Khordha.
b. 3 nos. of RO-based water purification units in District Mayurbhanj.
c. 1 RO-based water purification unit was deployed in District Boudh.
(c) BARC pursues research and development for development of technologies in line
with the DAE mandate. In this process, some spin-off technologies useful for
societal applications are also developed. These technologies are available for
transfer to the private entrepreneurs at nominal fee on non-exclusive basis for
commercialization.
Currently, BARC-developed water purification technologies (covering
ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis membrane technologies) have been transferred
to more than 40 licensees across India for wider deployment of the technology in
the country including rural and remote locations.
(d) Nil.
*****