ROURKELA : National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) kick-started the 30th International Conference on Hydraulics, Water Resources, River, and Coastal Engineering, HYDRO International 2025. Being organised under the aegis of the Indian Society for Hydraulics (ISH) from 18th to 20th December 2025, this multidisciplinary conference and exhibition aim to bring academicians, researchers, scientists, industry professionals, and policymakers from across the globe.
The three-day event will discuss recent advances, emerging challenges, and solutions in the fields of hydraulics, hydrology, water resources, river engineering, coastal engineering, and climate-resilient water systems.
The inaugural session of the event featured Prof. Vinod Tare, Founding Head & Advisor of the Center for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (Project cGanga), along with Smt. Anu Garg, IAS, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Water Resources, Planning & Convergence, Govt. of Odisha, as the Special Guests. Other dignitaries present during the inaugural event included, Prof. A.K. Turuk, Dean Academics, NIT Rourkela; Prof. S.P. Singh, HoD, Civil Engineering, NIT Rourkela; Prof. P.L. Patel, President, The Indian Society for Hydraulics; Prof. Kishanjit Kumar Khatua, Chairman and Coordinator along with Prof. Sanat Nalini Sahoo, Organising Secretary, HYDRO international 2025.
Speaking during the event, Prof. Vinod Tare said, “We need a fundamental shift in our approach to water management. While embracing new methods, it is equally important to retain certain traditional practices to ensure water conservation for the future. Our collective efforts must focus on addressing challenges like rapid runoff resulting from changes in land use. By implementing interventions such as converting rapid flows to sluggish ones, transforming linear water flows into circular systems, and treating our rivers as living laboratories, India has a unique opportunity to demonstrate global leadership in sustainable water resources management.”
He added, “Projects such as the Samath Ganga initiative exemplify how innovative and sustainable river management can drive both environmental and economic growth. Rivers can only remain clean if smaller streams and tributaries are also kept free of pollution. By integrating ancient knowledge with modern technology with our sustainable practices, promoting water reusability, and exploring the economic potential of effective river management, India can emerge as a torchbearer in river management.”
Key thematic areas of the conference include:
Ø Computational and Experimental Hydraulics
Ø River Engineering, Sediment & Fluvial Hydraulics
Ø Surface Hydrology and Watershed Management
Ø Environmental Flows and River Health
Ø Groundwater Hydrology
Ø Dams and Appurtenant Structures
Ø Integrated Water Resources and Irrigation
Ø Coastal, Harbor, and Ocean Engineering
Ø Climate Change Impacts on Water Systems
Ø Hydro – Hydroinformatics and Smart Water Management
During her address, Smt. Anu Garg, IAS, said, “Water security is one of the most critical challenges confronting us today, and addressing it requires strong evidence-based research and policymaking. Odisha has adopted a long-term vision for 2036 and 2047, with a clear focus on achieving equitable access to water across all sectors, enhancing resilience, and leveraging technology for efficient water use. Our efforts are directed towards making the state increasingly flood- and drought-resilient through initiatives such as a State Hydrology Data Centre for flood forecasting, focused interventions to address coastal erosion caused by frequent cyclones, and the rejuvenation of rivers.”
She added, “Community participation through initiatives such as ‘Pani Panchayats’, promotion of micro-irrigation and ‘more crop per drop’, and the national vision of ‘Catch the Rain—where it falls, when it falls’ under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan are central to our strategy. By optimising existing resources, implementing innovative irrigation projects, and strengthening collaboration with technocrats and engineers from institutions like NIT Rourkela for strategic policymaking and decision-making, we are committed to making Odisha a water-secure state.”
With a group of 62 international renowned experts from North America, Europe, Australia, and China, along with 128 renowned experts from multiple top Indian Institutions attending HYDRO international 2025, the conference will feature technical sessions, keynote lectures, panel discussions, and paper presentations. The activities lined up during the conference will offer participants opportunities for collaboration and engagement with academia, industry, and government stakeholders.
Speaking during the event, Prof. Kishanjit Kumar Khatua, Chairman / Coordinator, HYDRO International 2025, and Professor, Civil Engineering Department, NIT Rourkela, said, “As HYDRO International marks three decades of meaningful contribution to water engineering, this conference at NIR Rourkela stands as a global platform for advancing sustainable, science-driven solutions to contemporary water challenges. Being attended by over 450 participants and over 60 national and international experts, HYDRO 2025 will provide a platform to leading academicians, researchers, policymakers, and professionals from India and abroad to come together and deliberate on contemporary challenges and innovations in water resources, river systems, coastal engineering and sustainable development.”
Key foreign institutes attending HYDRO International 2025 include:
Ø Purdue University, United States
Ø French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE)
Ø Florida Atlantic University, United States
Ø Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China
Ø University of the District of Columbia, United States
Key Indian institutes participating include IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Dharwad, IIT Jammu, NIT Kurukshetra, NIT Patna, NITK Surathkal, NIT Agartala, NIT Raipur, IIEST Shibpur, NIOT Chennai, JNTU Andhra Pradesh, and the Government College of Engineering, Aurangabad, among others.
The inaugural event also felicitated two dignitaries by the Indian Society for Hydraulics Awards – 2025 for their outstanding contributions in the field of hydraulic engineering and water resources. The honorees included:
ISH Lifetime Achievement Award jointly shared by
Ø Prof. Kanhu Charan Patra, Professor (Retd.), NIT Rourkela
Ø Prof. Subhasish Dey, Visiting Professor, IIT Gandhinagar
Other award recipients include:
https://ish.net.in/ish_new/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ISH-Awards-2025_Awardee-list.pdf
Another major activity during the conference is the exhibition set up by leading industries including Afcons Infrastructure Ltd., Dynasoure Concrete Treatment Pvt. Ltd., Flow-3D Hydro (Kaushiks International), Aditi Infotech, and Viha Consulting Pvt. Ltd., among others. This exhibition will serve as a platform to bring private sector industries closer to researchers, policymakers, and national and international academicians for knowledge sharing, technology demonstration, and potential collaboration in the field of water resources and allied engineering sectors.
