The Department of Civil Engineering, Uttaranchal Institute of Technology (UIT) organized an expert lecture on “Impact of Sand-Gravel Mining on Hydraulic Structures” on September 30, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. in the Seminar Hall, UIT. The lecture was delivered by Prof. Zulfequar Ahmad, Professor (HAG), Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Roorkee, a distinguished academician and researcher in the field of hydraulics and water resources.
The event was graced by the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Sumit Chaudhary, Director, UIT, the distinguished guest, Prof. Ashok Kumar Ahuja, Ex-Professor, IIT Roorkee and Mr. Gaurav Thakur, Head, Department of Civil Engineering, whose association brought additional academic prestige to the occasion. Faculty members and students from all years of Civil Engineering attended the lecture. The program was jointly coordinated by Mr. Ashish Pathani and Dr. Samrity Jalota, Assistant Professors, Department of Civil Engineering.
The session began with an introductory address, after which Prof. Ahmad engaged students in an interactive discussion, initiating the topic with the significance and challenges of sand-gravel mining. He explained in detail how unregulated mining adversely impacts river morphology, disturbs hydraulic equilibrium, and weakens critical structures such as dams, barrages, weirs, and bridges.
To strengthen understanding, Prof. Ahmad presented numerous case studies from India and abroad, illustrating the long-term environmental, structural, and socio-economic consequences of unchecked mining practices. He also highlighted the broader implications on river ecosystems, groundwater recharge, and community safety.
Moving forward, the expert suggested practical and sustainable solutions, emphasizing the role of engineering interventions, government regulations, and eco-friendly alternatives to riverbed mining. He also stressed the need for balancing developmental requirements with environmental conservation.
