Watch: Technology, Science, and Policy: can they together save a warming planet?
The Hindu's deputy science editor Jacob Koshy discusses climate change with IISc professor Sambuddha Misra, Arunabha Ghosh, Founder-CEO, Council on Energy, Environment and Water, Suruchi Bhadwal, Director, Climate Change and Air Quality, TERI.
'Climate change and economics have to be tied into one discussion,' said Dr. Ghosh. While what India commits to absolute reduction of greenhouse gases in the future is a matter of speculation, Dr. Ghosh said that we should counter climate change because three-quarters of the country's districts are hotspots for climate change, and 80% of Indians are already living in areas that are highly vulnerable hydro-meteorological disasters.
While discussing about geoengineering techniques, geoengineering can have side-effects, which is why long-term pilot-scale studies are important, the Mr. Misra said.
Read more: Role of multilateral regime remains relevant in fight against climate change: experts
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The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Chenab bridge designed to survive loss of one of its piers
One of the striking features of the Chenab bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, reportedly the highest arch-railway bridge in the world, is that the structure would stand even if one of the eight supporting piers is taken way, and still be strong enough to keep the train on it moving, albeit at a slower speed. The credit for conceptualising the design that allows this stability goes to G. Madhavi Lata, Professor of Civil Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. For nearly two decades, she has been a consultant for AFCONS Infrastructure, the engineering firm that had executed the construction of the bridge. Standing 359 metres above the river Chenab, it is as high as four Qutb Minars stacked on top of each other. Due to the height and the terrain, the parabolic arch – the strongest load-bearing structure -- which supports the railway bridge, could be assailed by winds that can touch 220 kmph and because it spans Himalayan mountains, has to contend with the strongest earthquakes, Dr. Lata told The Hindu. 'So the challenge is in ensuring that the foundations of the bridge, which rest on the slopes of these connecting mountains, are extremely strong,' she explained. These mountains often have unexpected cracks and fissures and strengthening them requires cement grouting – applying cement in these fissures to have them function like glue. This was Dr. Lata's first stint at designing a bridge in the Himalayas. 'I joined the IISc in 2003, as an Assistant Professor, and since 2005 have been associated with this project. Along with this, you also must provide rock anchors which are steel rods inserted into the slope. While these are standard civil engineering techniques, the real challenge lies in having to constantly change your basic design [of the bridge, foundations, piers] as when you realise that the slopes are full of surprises. The design has to be kept flexible till you reach the final stage. To me that was the biggest challenge,' she added. This is also the only arch-shaped railway bridge in India and there are only a few comparable constructions in the world, in China for instance, she added. The Chenab bridge spans 1,315 metres and has an arch-span of 467 metres. The bridge is one of the 927 bridges in the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
A Very 'Civil' Engineer: IISc Professor Madhavi Latha Spent 17 Years Building Chenab Bridge
Last Updated: Professor Latha's team adopted a 'design-as-you-go' philosophy, continuously adapting and innovating in real time Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, the Chenab Bridge, a remarkable feat of Indian engineering, stands as the world's highest such arch bridge. While the project's success is attributable to many, a significant contribution to its structural integrity and stability is from Professor G Madhavi Latha from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. Her expertise in rock engineering proved indispensable over 17 years of dedicated involvement. Dr Madhavi Latha, a distinguished geotechnical and rock engineering specialist from IISc's civil engineering department, was specifically enlisted by Northern Railways and the project contractor, Afcons Infrastructure, to address the exceptionally challenging terrain. The bridge spans a deep gorge in the seismically active and geologically complex Himalayan region, where steep slopes, varied rock conditions, and high wind speeds presented formidable obstacles. Dr Latha's primary role was to consult on slope stabilisation and bridge foundation design. Constructing the bridge's massive arch abutments and piers on the steep, often unstable, rock slopes posed immense challenges. During excavation, engineers frequently encountered unforeseen geological conditions, such as fractured rocks, hidden cavities, and varying rock properties, not apparent during initial surveys. Professor Latha's team adopted a 'design-as-you-go" philosophy, continuously adapting and innovating in real time. This involved complex calculations and design modifications to accommodate the actual rock mass conditions encountered during excavation. Her contributions included advising on techniques like cement grouting (injecting cement into rock joints for reinforcement) and the precise design and placement of rock anchors to enhance stability. These measures ensured the foundations could withstand extreme conditions, including high wind forces and seismic activity. The cumulative length of rock anchors used, tens of thousands of metres, testifies to the scale of the challenge. Madhavi Latha's 17-year commitment, from the planning stages in 2005 through the completion of trials in 2022, was crucial in overcoming the unique geotechnical challenges posed by the project's location. Her work ensured that the Chenab Bridge is not only the world's highest but also robust enough to withstand the harsh Himalayan environment for an estimated 120 years. (With agency inputs)
Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Indian Express
The Chenab Railway Bridge is more than just an engineering marvel
June 6 — a day that will be etched in the memory of every Indian engineer and citizen — marks the inauguration of the Chenab Railway Bridge by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As the world's highest railway arch bridge connects the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India, I look at this marvel with misty eyes and a full heart. I am overwhelmed. I am emotional. I am proud. This is more than a bridge. It is a symbol of unity, resilience, and India's unyielding spirit to conquer the impossible. For me personally, it is the fulfilment of a dream — a 15-year journey of science, sweat, and soul. When I was first associated with this project in 2005, little did I know that it would become a defining chapter of my professional life. As a geotechnical consultant for the Chenab Bridge, I was entrusted with the responsibility of solving some of the most complex engineering challenges in one of the most geologically unstable regions in the world. From that point until 2020, I devoted myself to this project with unwavering commitment — not as an assignment, but as a national duty. The Chenab gorge, with its fractured rock masses, high seismic activity, and unpredictable terrain, required a fundamentally different approach. That's where the philosophy of 'design-as-you-go' came in — an approach grounded in flexibility, deep scientific analysis, and on-site responsiveness. It wasn't about applying textbook theories alone; it was about adapting to nature's will while ensuring safety, strength, and sustainability. Leading a dedicated team from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, I contributed to extensive site-specific geotechnical investigations and real-time assessments, advanced numerical modeling using finite element methods to simulate slope stability, Rock mechanics analysis and customised support systems for deep excavations and designing foundation systems for the abutments that could withstand both geological surprises and seismic forces. Each day on the field brought new challenges — but also new insights. Every calculation, every simulation, every decision carried the weight of national expectation. And that pressure became my inspiration. I knew that this bridge was not just an engineering structure — it was a bridge to hope for millions. It would connect communities, open up the Kashmir Valley, and stand as a tribute to India's engineering might. Today, standing at the threshold of this historic inauguration by our Prime Minister — something I had long dreamed of — I feel a deep sense of gratitude. To be part of a project of this scale and significance is the greatest honour of my life. Seeing the bridge soar 359 meters above the Chenab River, taller than even the Eiffel Tower, is nothing short of breathtaking. As Chairman of AICTE, I often speak to students and faculty about the power of applied knowledge and research. This bridge, this journey, is living proof of that philosophy. It shows how academic research, when fused with national vision, can create wonders. It reinforces my belief that engineers are the architects of the nation's future, and that our classrooms must prepare them not just with theory but with the courage to solve real-world problems. The Chenab Bridge is more than a technical achievement — it is a story of human endeavour, of teamwork, of innovation under pressure, and above all, of patriotic purpose. This bridge has now physically united the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country. But more importantly, it has emotionally united all Indians — engineers, planners, workers, and citizens — in a shared dream that has finally come true. It is the proudest moment of my life — to have served my nation in this capacity, to have contributed to something so monumental, and to have witnessed its completion in the presence of our Prime Minister. Let this bridge inspire future generations to dream big, to work hard, and to believe that with passion and purpose, nothing is beyond reach. The writer is Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and was geotechnical consultant – Chenab Bridge Project (2005–2020)
