Meghalaya Class 9 Student Wins Jury Award for Gas Leak Safety Device

A Class 9 student from Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district has won the jury award at the North East Science Fair & Innovation Festival for developing a technology-based system that detects gas leaks and automatically triggers safety measures to prevent accidents, officials said on Sunday.

James Donald Kharkongor , a student of Mawngap District Christian Multipurpose Higher Secondary School, received the recognition at the regional science event organised by the National Science Centre, Guwahati, a unit of the National Council of Science Museums.

Kharkongor, who hails from Laitpynter Synrangkaban village, said his father is a school teacher while his mother works as a housekeeper. He said the idea behind the project stemmed from his desire to use innovation to address everyday safety concerns and contribute to nation-building.

The jury award was conferred in recognition of the project’s practical relevance , technical integration and potential societal impact, officials said. Despite strong competition and limited time for demonstration, the project stood out during jury evaluation, which assessed innovation, real-world applicability, technical clarity and societal usefulness. Officials noted that school-level innovations often face challenges such as competing with better-resourced projects and meeting multiple evaluation criteria, making the achievement significant.

The innovation, titled Smart LPG Safety and Hazard Prevention System , uses advanced gas sensors to continuously monitor air quality and activates a buzzer alarm when gas concentration exceeds safe levels. An automated exhaust fan is simultaneously triggered to disperse accumulated gas and reduce the risk of ignition.

A key feature of the system is an automatic solenoid valve that shuts off the gas supply immediately upon detecting a leak, preventing further discharge and minimising the risk of fire or explosion. The device is also integrated with IoT-based technology, enabling remote monitoring and real-time alerts.

Officials said Kharkongor has been mentored by the Innovation Hub of the Shillong Science Centre, which provided hands-on training, technical guidance and exposure to scientific platforms, helping him refine and present the project at the regional level.