Assam signs MoU with IIT-G to train WRD engineers

Guwahati: Looking to strengthen scientific capacity in managing floods and water resources, Assam on Thursday signed an MoU with IIT-Guwahati for a two-year online M-Tech programme for water resources department (WRD) engineers. The course will focus on flood control, sediment studies, climate resilience and sustainable water management.As per the agreement signed between IIT-Guwahati director, Sukumar Nandi, and chief engineer of the water resources department, Bhaskar Sharma, 20 engineers from the department will be able to enrol in an online course on water resources each year. As part of a comprehensive project under the Assam Flood and River Erosion Management Agency (FREMAA), with World Bank assistance, the initiative aims to provide advanced technical knowledge to about 200 engineers from the department over the next 10 years.Water resources minister Pijush Hazarika said, "Just as those in the medical field regularly participate in seminars and courses to acquire new knowledge and innovations, it is crucial for engineers involved in sensitive areas like water resources to stay updated on modern technology." He added that under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the WRD operates with an annual budget of approximately Rs 2000 crore and managed to reduce flood impact by 60-70% over the past four years. He further said, "Floods have held Assam back for many years. Currently, there is no shortage of funds, but a permanent solution is not possible without the right use of technology."The minister expressed hope that this academic collaboration with IIT-Guwahati will make the department more technically capable. He also mentioned that the state has about 4500 km of embankments, many portions of which urgently need renovation with modern technology. He believes the agreement with IIT Guwahati will play a significant role in this regard. The minister also noted that the department successfully completed embankment repairs using geo-mega tubes during heavy rains in a short period. He urged the engineers to make the most of this opportunity to bring modernization and efficiency to the state's flood and erosion control systems.