Three-day National Training and Capacity-building workshop on Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure Development commenced today at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), for more than 70 officials from various government departments. Organised by IUST’s Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction, Department of Civil Engineering, and Department of Architecture in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DMRRR), Government of Jammu and Kashmir, the workshop will continue until July 30.
Speaking at the Inaugural session, Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice Chancellor, IUST, referred to J&K’s geographic vulnerability and lack of disaster-ready infrastructure. He compared the 2005 J&K earthquake with different global contexts, noting how different places exemplify preparedness, and we needed to enhance seismic resilience in the Himalayan region’s infrastructure. He underlined the vulnerability of key public structures and urged participants to spread a culture of preparedness. He concluded with a powerful call to action from participants to play a vital role in sensitising communities and stakeholders towards disaster readiness.
Renowned Indian seismologist and former director of the National Geophysical Research Institute, Prof. V.K. Gaur, was the Chief Guest during the session and will be a key resource person during the workshop. Prof Gaur, who is the Honorary Emeritus Scientist at the CSIR Fourth Paradigm Institute, stressed the importance of geotechnical research and region-specific planning in addressing infrastructure vulnerabilities in disaster-prone areas like J&K.
Prof. Muzaffar Ahmad, former Member, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India and Guest of Honour, spoke about the destructive impacts of past disasters and emphasized the urgent need to improve disaster resilience in J&K. Drawing comparisons with Bihar and Assam, he pointed out that J&K urgently needs development of disaster-resilient infrastructure and called for comprehensive efforts at all levels.
Deputy Secretary to the Government, DMRRR, Snober Jameel, JKAS, was the special guest who highlighted the critical role of such collaborative efforts in promoting sustainable development and disaster-resilient infrastructure. She reiterated the government’s commitment to the Prime Minister’s 10-point agenda on disaster risk reduction. Dean Academics, IUST, Prof. A.H. Moon, highlighted IUST’s status as a research-intensive University and called for integrating disaster resilience into development planning and underlined the urgency of infrastructure preparedness.
The workshop brings together leading experts, engineers, scientists, and academicians, featuring technical sessions, expert talks, field activities such as Rapid Visual Surveys and seismic assessments, panel discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on activities led by speakers like Prof. Gaur, Prof. Romshoo, Dr. Muazim Jan (CSIR-4PI), Prof. Keya Mitra (IIEST), Prof. Shakeel Ahmad etc. Coordinator, CDRR, and organising secretary of the workshop, Dr. Irfan Maqbool Bhat, delivered the welcome address, while Dr. Jasia Bashir anchored the session, and Waseem Qader proposed the vote of thanks.