Neerdhur - An Energy Efficient Cookstove by CSIR-NEERI

Neerdhur - An Energy Efficient Cookstove by CSIR-NEERI

Neerdhur is a domestic use multi-fuel cookstove that has been developed by CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) with an aim to control indoor air pollution and curb down the respiratory disease in rural India.

It is found that indoor air pollution is a major cause behind health problems in rural India, usually related to respiratory system. To combat this menace, scientists at CSIR-NEERI have developed ‘Neerdhur’, which can work on multiple fuels such as coal, cow dung, wood chops, and wood chips.

The CSIR-NEERI ‘Neerdhur’ project was led by Dr Nitin Labhsetwar and Ankit Gupta. The other prominent members of the project are S S Waghmare, M N V Anil, Sandeep Chidmalwad, and Dr S Rayalu.

The Neerdhur was developed under CSIR-800 programme. The programme is aimed at benefitting the underprivileged people in the country. CSIR team has distributed 50 cookstoves in two villages of Nagpur district and planned to distribute more than hundreds of these cookstoves in another part of India. Moreover, NEERI has already applied for its patent and registration of its six designs.

Neerdhur inherits innovative technological know-how for better thermal efficiency, lesser fuel consumption, lesser emissions, faster cooking time, higher safety and increased portability. It is certified by Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to meet the standards of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS-2013) and been rated as one of the best cookstoves in terms of thermal efficiency and emissions.