Raja Gopal Sunkara (IAS): IoT Water Management
The Innovation: In Erode, Tamil Nadu, Raja Gopal Sunkara (2015 batch) addressed the chronic inefficiency of rural water supply using the Internet of Things (IoT).
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- How it Works: Sensors were installed in overhead tanks (OHTs) across 16 villages to monitor water levels in real-time. The system automatically triggers pumps when levels are low and shuts them off to prevent overflow.
- The Impact:
- 40% Reduction in electricity bills for village panchayats.
- 20% Increase in total water supply by eliminating wastage.
- Social Change: Fixed water timings saved rural women hours of waiting at public taps.
- Current Status: As of May 2026, Sunkara has moved on from his Erode posting, but his “Erode Model” is being studied for statewide implementation in Tamil Nadu.
Manish Bansal (IAS): Reviving the Sot River
The Feat: Manish Bansal (2014 batch) led a massive community-driven project to revive the 110-km Sot River in Sambhal, UP.
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- The Problem: The river, a tributary of the Ganges, had become “practically non-existent” due to 50 years of illegal encroachments and siltation.
- The Strategy: Using MGNREGA funds, Bansal mobilized over 1.7 lakh man-days of labour to de-silt the riverbed and remove encroachments without heavy legal battles.
- The Result: The river flow was restored, significantly recharging the groundwater table and preventing seasonal waterlogging in nearby farms.
- Current Post: Following the success of this project (which was praised by NITI Aayog), Manish Bansal was recently appointed as the District Magistrate of Agra.
‘Nirikhyana’ Initiative: Maternal Health in Ganjam
The Mission: Supported by the Ganjam (Odisha) district administration, the ‘Nirikhyana’ program revolutionized maternal care in rural blocks.
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- The Service: It provides three free ultrasound scans and real-time digital tracking for all pregnant women, specifically targeting High-Risk Pregnancies (HRP).
- Key Achievements:
- Over 3 lakh women benefited by January 2026.
- Reduction in Neonatal Mortality: Early detection of complications led to a measurable drop in infant deaths.
- Scaling Up: Due to its success in Ganjam, the initiative was officially expanded to Puri District in early 2026.
