Jamshedpur Engineers, NIT experts chart roadmap for disaster-resilient communities

Seminar stresses innovation, AI and sustainable design for disaster risk reduction

Jamshedpur, Sep 6: The Institution of Engineers (India), Jamshedpur Local Centre, in collaboration with the Disaster Risk Reduction Club (DRR-Club), Department of Civil Engineering, NIT Jamshedpur, organized a one-day seminar “Building Safer Communities: Engineering Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management” on 6th September 2025 at Shavak Nanavati Technical Institute, N Road, Bistupur, Jamshedpur.

This timely and essential seminar aimed to bring together distinguished engineers, academicians, industry experts, researchers, administrators, and students to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the rising frequency and intensity of both natural and human-induced disasters. With growing threats from climate change, rapid urbanization, environmental degradation, and unplanned development, the seminar emphasized the urgent need to move beyond reactive measures toward prevention, preparedness, and resilience, guided by scientific research and engineering innovations.

The Disaster Risk Reduction Club of NIT Jamshedpur, established through initiatives by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Home Affairs, and the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), has taken on the responsibility of raising awareness, building capacity, and fostering a culture of resilience among youth and local communities.

The event commenced with a warm welcome of the Chief Guest, Prof. Goutam Sutradhar, Director of NIT Jamshedpur, and the Guest of Honourand Session Chairman, Vinit Shah, Chief of Manufacturing Long Products, Tata Steel, introduced by Dr. S K Narang, Past Honorary Secretary, IE(I) Jamshedpur Local Centre.

The workshop was attended by over ninety participants from academia and the construction industry, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and research scholars from NIT Jamshedpur and other institutions, as well as working professionals from the Subarnarekha Project, Government of Jharkhand, TSUISL (formerly JUSCO), Amathyst Buildcon Pvt. Ltd., APCO Infratech Pvt. Ltd., Dalmia Cement Bharat Ltd., Jindal Penthar Cement Ltd., and other construction industries including the dignitaries namely; Mr. Ratnesh Utpal ;Territory Sales Head & Mr. Sayak Chakraborty, Territory Manager-Technical services  of M/S Ultratech Cements Limited who were the sponsors for this event.

The inaugural session began with the traditional lighting of the lamp, followed by a welcome address from Vinit Shah. Prof. Goutam Sutradhar, in his inaugural address, emphasized that safety and resilience start at the community level.

He highlighted that every individual—engineer, educator, professional, or citizen—has a role to play. Empowered communities, collaborative institutions, and foresighted engineering design can help create a future where disasters do not translate into tragedies.

Keynote lecture, titled”Biotechnical and Soil Bioengineering Solutions ForHazard Monitoring and Mitigation” was delivered by Prof. Anil Kumar Choudhary, Professor of Civil Engineering at NIT Jamshedpur. He focused on the applications of soil bioengineering to mitigate soil erosion and control the increasing frequency of landslides in the sub-Himalayan regions, which cause significant damage to property and loss of life.

The second technical session was conducted by Ashok Kumar Das, who shared his professional experiences dealing with flood situations, highlighting practical solutions and crisis management.

Third session was delivered by Dr. Prahlad Prashad, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, NIT Jamshedpur. He discussed ” Earthquake-Resilient Infrastructure: Innovations in Design and Risk Reduction & Seismic Risk Mitigation: Engineering Strategies for Safer Communities “and seismic risk mitigation strategies, emphasizing best construction practices for earthquake-resistant

The fourth technical session was taken by Dr. Ch. Madhusudana Rao, Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engg., NIT Jamshedpur who discussed on “AI-driven real-time hazard monitoring and predictive analytics for floods, and landslides” underscoring the role of artificial intelligence in disaster prediction and management.

The fifth technical session was taken by Dr. S. Madhuri, Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engg., and NIT Jamshedpur focusing on “Dynamic Analysis of RC Building under Sequential earthquake” and Tsunami scenarios.

The sixth and final technical session was delivered by Dr. J. Jayapal, Assistant Professor at the Deptt. Of Civil Engineering, NIT Jamshedpur who shared his views on “Sustainability and Some Applications in Civil Engineering” highlighting the importance of sustainable practices within the engineering domain.

The workshop concluded with a valedictory session featuring the distribution of certificates, a participant feedback session, and a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. S K Narang, Past Honorary Secretary, IE(I) Jamshedpur Local Centre.

All sessions were highly informative as well interactive in nature making the seminar a grand success in identifying a roadmap to serve as a platform for collaboration between engineers, policymakers, educators, and communities, highlighting that disaster management today is about innovation, technology, and proactive planning rather than response and relief alone as well safe and sustainable construction practices.