IIT Kanpur-incubated firm develops unique ‘i-ghat’

Acquafront Infrastructure Pvt Ltd (AIPL), a start-up incubated at the Start-up Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) of IIT Kanpur, has developed a next-gen concept ‘i-Ghat’ at Kada Ghat in Kaushambhi. This is a unique proposition to refine river banks or ghats in India. According to an official release, i-Ghat includes integrating reinforced-cement concrete-based floats with solar cells and electric-powered boats using steel integrated floating jelly (SIFJ) technology to avoid the impact of using plastic floats and also to reduce the noise and air pollution caused by diesel boats. The project is supported by NTT DATA, a digital business and IT services leader present in more than 80 countries. The i-Ghat facility at Kada Ghat was commissioned in September this year and is equipped with a state-of-the-art floating charging station with a battery swap for the battery powered electric boats, using captured solar energy through the RCC-based floating solar grid. It is completely self-sufficient, causes zero air and noise pollution and aligns with NTT DATA's aim to support technology innovations for a sustainable world. Prof Abhay Karandikar, director of IIT Kanpur, said, “The innovation ecosystem at IIT Kanpur is under rapid expansion … I congratulate AIPL for its deployment of SIFJ technology to develop this project, which is a remarkable step towards ensuring livelihood through a sustainable approach.” See also: Google, Microsoft sign green PPAs to lower carbon footprintAequs, KLE Tech varsity join hands for innovation centre