Malkangiri, 7th Nov 2025: In the Swabhiman region of Malkangiri, many villages are surrounded by the Balimela reservoir. For these villages, water transport is the only means of communication. Unfortunately, several lives are lost every year due to recurring boat accidents.
In this situation, a Class IX student named Lalita Khil has developed an innovative idea to prevent such accidents. Her science project, titled “Titanic 2.0 – Safety Boat”, impressed the evaluators so much that it has been selected for presentation at the national-level science exhibition, to be held in Bhopal on November 18.
Lalita studies at RSC-6 Government UGHS School, Chitrakonda Block, Malkangiri District. Her home is in Burudiput village under Dorraguda Panchayat, a remote area near the Balimela reservoir. As there is no bridge at the Dorraguda ghat, people have to cross the water by holding onto a rope tied across the banks and pulling boats along it — a risky method that often leads to tragic accidents. Witnessing these incidents inspired Lalita to create her Safety Boat project, now recognized at the national level.
Her project was guided by teacher Debabrata Dash and headmaster Dambaru Dhar Golari. After winning at the district and zonal levels, it has now advanced to the national stage.
According to Lalita, in ordinary boats, the inner portion remains hollow. During accidents, when passengers rush to one side out of panic, the boat loses balance and capsizes. In her Safety Boat design, Lalita has replaced the hollow space with air-filled bags and added a balance tube based on Pascal’s Law.
The idea is that when area increases, pressure decreases. Hence, the design expands the effective area of the boat. During emergencies, if people move to one side, the pressure will be distributed evenly through the tube — preventing the boat from overturning.
Moreover, the boat includes a warning siren that activates when the passenger load exceeds capacity. If the warning is ignored and excess weight causes the boat to sink, the air-filled bags below will push air through the tube to keep the boat afloat, preventing it from completely submerging.
Lalita named her invention “Titanic 2.0”, symbolizing a safer, smarter version of the legendary ill-fated ship. After her project was selected for the national-level competition, her father Parshu Khil, mother Damayanti Khil, villagers, and school authorities expressed great pride and joy in her achievement.
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