IIT Roorkee, India – April 19, 2025: The Department of Water Resources Development and Management (WRD&M), IIT Roorkee, celebrated its 70th anniversary with two significant academic events that underscored its commitment to innovation and leadership in the field of water resources: Research Scholars Day 2025 and a 2-Day Hands-On Training Workshop on Fundamentals of CFD Modelling for Water Systems using FLOW-3D.
The celebrations commenced with Research Scholars Day 2025, inaugurated in the presence of Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, and Prof. Thanga Raj Chelliah, Head, WRD&M, and coordinated by Prof. Anshul Yadav and Prof. Ellora Padhi. The event served as a platform for research scholars to present and discuss their latest work, encouraging dialogue and collaboration across key areas of water resources development and management. The initiative reflected the department’s sustained emphasis on cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary engagement.
Complementing the occasion, a 2-Day Hands-On Training Workshop on CFD Modelling for Water Systems using FLOW-3D was held, in collaboration with Kaushiks International. The workshop was graced by Dr. M. K. Goel, Director, NIH Roorkee, Prof. Deepak Khare, Dean (Finance & Planning), IIT Roorkee, and Prof. T. R. Chelliah, and coordinated by Prof. Anshul Yadav and Prof. Ellora Padhi. Focused on the practical application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools, the workshop provided participants with valuable hands-on training aimed at bridging theoretical knowledge and real-world water system modelling.
“As the Department of Water Resources Development and Management completes 70 years, we take pride in our legacy while reaffirming our commitment to advancing knowledge, innovation, and sustainable solutions in the water sector. These events reflect our continuous efforts to bridge research with practice and to nurture the next generation of experts in water resources engineering.” said Prof. Thanga Raj Chelliah, Head, WRD&M, IIT Roorkee.
These events mark a significant milestone in the journey of WRD&M, highlighting IIT Roorkee’s long-standing contribution to water resources education, research, and sustainable development.
Established in 1955, the Department of Water Resources Development and Management (formerly known as the Water Power Engineering Department) is one of the oldest and most prestigious departments in the field of water resources in India. Over the decades, it has played a transformative role in shaping national policies, supporting capacity-building initiatives, and delivering high-impact research in the areas of hydrology, irrigation, hydraulics, flood control, watershed management, and hydro-informatics. With state-of-the-art laboratories and a strong international presence, WRD&M continues to foster innovation and leadership in sustainable water development and integrated water resource management.
Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, remarked on the occasion, “The WRD&M department has played a pioneering role in advancing water resources education and research in India. As it completes 70 years of impactful work, the department continues to be a driving force in developing solutions for water-related challenges. Events like these reflect our commitment to nurturing future-ready professionals and integrating research with practical applications.”
These anniversary events mark a significant milestone in the journey of WRD&M, reinforcing IIT Roorkee’s legacy as a hub of excellence in water-related education, research, and sustainable development.