FDP on Underground Space Utilization
Aligarh: An online Faculty Development Program (FDP) on ‘Underground Space Utilization’ to understand the emergence of underground space use planning and design as a growing imperative began at the Department of Civil Engineering, Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology (ZHCET), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Sponsored by the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi, the FDP will extend till January 22.
Resource persons from the lITs, DMRC, MMRC, Engineers India Ltd, National Laboratories and major universities are sharing information and opinions with the participants in the FDP.
In the keynote address, AMU alumnus, Er S K Gupta (MMRC, Mumbai) gave an overview of the national and international perspective of underground space utilization and the reasons for preparing expertise and technology in the field.
He also spoke on civil and geoengineering issues pertaining to metro rail projects in Delhi and Mumbai.
Prof Pervez Mustajab, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology delineated the use of underground space for strategic storage and nuclear waste disposal; while Prof M M Sufyan Beg (Principal, ZHCET) spoke on the development of the engineering college and efforts of the Department of Civil Engineering faculty members in getting the prestigious ATAL FDP.
Prof Abdul Baqi, Chairman, Department of Civil Engineering deliberated the need for this program in the present situation and how the population growth, growth of metropolises, migration to cities, environmental awareness, and increased needs for transportation, water, utilities, storage, security, and sheltering encourage the use and the development of underground space.
Prof M Masroor Alam discussed the rational use of urban underground space for surface and subsurface activities.
Prof N K Samadhiya (IIT Roorkee) explained the analysis and software development on the Design and Safety of Tunnels.
Dr Harsh Kumar Verma (Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Bilaspur, Chattisgarh) elaborated the blasting method for underground space creation.
Er Saurabh Sharma (DMRC, New Delhi) explained the design criteria of multi-level underground metro tunnel cross-overs. Prof M Masroor Alam and Dr M Rehan Sadique spoke on the understanding of rock distribution and their relation to the tunnel alignment.
Prof Abdul Baqi, Prof Kausar Ali, Prof Mehboob Anwer Khan and Dr M Rehan Sadique chaired sessions on the first and second days of the program.
Dr M Rehan Sadique, conducted the inaugural function program and extended the vote of thanks.
Over 80 participants from different parts of the country and abroad have registered for the program.