Srinagar, May 16: National Institute of Technology Srinagar on Saturday concluded a two-day lecture series on “Engineering in the Himalayas: Advances in Rock Mechanics and Ground Improvement.”
The programme was organised by the Department of Civil Engineering, NIT Srinagar, in collaboration with the Indian Geotechnical Society Srinagar Chapter.
The event was inaugurated by F A Mir, J A Bhat and B A Mir.
Faculty members including Syed Kaiser Bukhari and R P Shukla, along with event coordinators Majid Hussain and Falak Zahoor, were also present.
Undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students participated in the programme.
The lecture series featured sessions by experts including K Seshagiri Rao of Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and Arif Ali Baig of National Institute of Technology Warangal.
Their lectures focused on emerging challenges and innovative solutions related to sustainable infrastructure development in the Himalayan region.
Prof Arif Ali Baig spoke on the significance of polymer biogeotechnics and its role in sustainable environmental engineering. He stressed the need for eco-friendly ground improvement techniques and encouraged students to pursue research in the field.
Prof K Seshagiri Rao shared his experiences from major Himalayan infrastructure projects, including the Chenab Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge under the USBRL railway project.
He discussed the geological, technical and social challenges faced during execution of the projects and highlighted the role of collaboration between researchers and agencies.
In another session, Prof Rao elaborated on tunnelling in difficult Himalayan terrain with examples from the Chenani-Nashri Tunnel and Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel.
The programme concluded with discussions on bridging academic research and practical engineering to support sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in the Himalayan region.
