Surathkal: National Institute of Technology Karnataka Surathkal inaugurated a state-of-the-art on-campus water disinfection plant with an installed capacity of 10 lakh litres per day on February 24, 2026. The facility was inaugurated by Shri Sudhir Kumar, Managing Director of PETRONET MHB Limited and an alumnus of the 1989 Mechanical Engineering batch of NITK, along with Prof. B. Ravi, Director of NITK Surathkal.

The initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening sustainable water management practices within the institute’s residential campus, benefitting thousands of students, faculty and staff.

Enhancing campus water sustainability

The newly installed plant is designed to treat raw water pumped from tube wells and open wells located within the campus premises. This move will augment the existing water supply received from the Mangaluru City Corporation, particularly during the summer months when municipal supply often falls short.

The treatment process involves two stages of filtration, followed by chlorination and ozonation. These processes ensure the removal of excess iron and waterborne contaminants, thereby making the water safe for consumption and general use.

The project was funded under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative for 2025–26 by PETRONET MHB Limited, a subsidiary of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).

CSR initiative with lasting impact

Addressing the gathering, Shri Sudhir Kumar emphasised that PETRONET MHB Limited remains committed to the spirit of Corporate Social Responsibility and strives to create long-lasting positive impacts on societal wellbeing. He described it as a matter of personal pride to contribute to NITK Surathkal as an alumnus.

He conveyed gratitude to the institute for accepting PETRONET as a CSR partner and expressed confidence that the water disinfection plant would significantly benefit the campus community.

Corporate Social Responsibility, commonly referred to as Corporate social responsibility, enables companies to contribute to social, environmental and infrastructural development beyond their core business operations. The NITK project exemplifies how industry–academia collaboration can advance sustainability goals.

Supporting a smart and sustainable campus vision

Director Prof. B. Ravi acknowledged PETRONET’s contribution towards the institute’s vision of becoming a smart and sustainable campus. He highlighted that the water disinfection plant complements other recent initiatives undertaken by the institute.

“Last year, we created a rainwater harvesting reservoir of about 3 crore litres capacity on the north-east side of the campus. This filtration plant will enable us to utilise that water, as well as water drawn from other internal sources, to meet shortfalls from the municipal supply during summer months,” he said.

By integrating rainwater harvesting with advanced water treatment infrastructure, NITK aims to reduce dependence on external water sources while promoting resource conservation and environmental stewardship.

Distinguished presence at the inauguration

The inauguration ceremony was attended by several dignitaries and officials from PETRONET MHB Limited, including Ms. Saisudhamyee, Head – Technical, Mr. Uday Pai, Head – Operations, and other senior officers.

From NITK Surathkal, Prof. Kumar G. N., Registrar (In-charge), Prof. Venkatesa Perumal, Dean – Planning and Development, and Prof. Prasanna Belur, Dean – Alumni and Corporate Relations, were present along with faculty members, administrative staff and student representatives.

The participation of alumni and corporate stakeholders underscored the strong institutional network that continues to support NITK’s infrastructural growth and sustainability initiatives.

Conclusion

The commissioning of the one-million-litre-per-day water disinfection plant represents a strategic investment in campus infrastructure and environmental responsibility. By combining advanced filtration technologies with sustainable water management practices, NITK Surathkal has reinforced its commitment to providing a safe, reliable and resilient water supply system.

The collaboration between PETRONET MHB Limited and NITK Surathkal demonstrates how alumni engagement and CSR initiatives can contribute meaningfully to institutional development. As climate variability and urban resource pressures intensify, such proactive measures ensure long-term sustainability and improved quality of life for campus residents.