Dehradun: A Kickoff meeting of the CSIR Mission Mode Project on “Safety and Security of Vital Installations” was organized at Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun on Aug. 21, 2018. This is a very important Mission Mode project of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) deals with the assessment of earthquake safety, security of border installations and safety of structures from manmade disasters. CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) is the nodal laboratory and Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee; Structural Engineering Research Center (SERC), Chennai; Central Scientific Instruments Organization (CSIO), Chandigarh; Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI), Pilani are the participating institutes.
Dr. V.M. Tiwari, Director, NGRI, Hyderabad welcomed the participants and informed about the importance of the project and its relevance to Uttarakhand region where natural and man-made disasters are severe. He mentioned that the important objectives of the project is 1. Earthquake Hazard quantification in Uttarakhand and 2. Design and development of efficient slope stabilization measures for mitigation of landslides in hilly regions of Himalayn belt. Dr. Sudeep Kumar, Head, Mission Directorate, CSIR in his introductory remarks mentioned about the importance of such initiative for providing S&T solutions for the safety and security of buildings, hospitals, bridges and defense installations. Dr. R.K. Sinha, Director, CSIO, Chandigarh; Dr. Santosh Kapuria, Director, SERC, Chennai; Dr. N. Goplalakrishnan, Director, CBRI, Roorkee highlighted their respective work components of the project. Dr. R.K. Sinha, Sr. Pr. Scientist from CSIR, New Delhi participated in the meeting. Dr. D. Srinagesh, Convener of the program has made presentation about the FTT and Mission Mode projects.
Dr. Piyoosh Rautela, Executive Director, Disaster Mitigation and Management Center, Dehradun represented the Uttarakhand State Government along with officials from stake holder department’s – Disaster Management, Groundwater, BSF, Uttarkhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd., etc.
While speaking on the occasion Dr. Rautela mentioned about the relentless efforts of Uttarakhand government in disaster management and mitigation programs. He said that Earthquake Hazard Assessment is an important activity for the state and complimented CSIR for taking such an important initiative for the state of Uttarakhand. Dr. V.M. Tiwari, Director, CSIR-NGRI has handed over a Fast Track Translation (FTT) project report aimed on the development of risk index maps for Dehradun city to Dr. Piyoosh Routela.
