NEWS
IIT Kharagpur Advances Village Development in VMRDA Region
Expert teams conduct critical grassroots evaluations in the
Extended Planning Area of VMR to assess infrastructure and drive
holistic rural development.
Critical stakeholder interactions across the Extended Planning
Area of the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region (VMR) have been
completed by CoE-UPD, IIT Kharagpur in December, 2025. Strategic
sessions at 13 Mandal centers including Chodavaram, Nathavaram,
and Merakamudidam were conducted by an expert team consisting of
Dr. Tarak Nath Mazumder, Dr. Arup Das, and Dr. Gaurab Das
Mahapatra. Information regarding existing infrastructure and
basic amenities was systematically gathered directly through
interactions with Mandal Officers, Sarpanches, Panchayat
Secretaries and local technical personnel. This collected
information is being utilized as a key foundation for drafting a
comprehensive Perspective Plan, Master Plan and Zonal
Development Plans for the Extended Area of VMR. Immediate
community needs are being integrated into the planning framework
through active collaboration with elected representatives,
including MPDOs and Sarpanches. Ultimately, actionable
development reports will be submitted to the state government to
drive sustainable regional growth.
Date: December 19, 2025.
IIT Kharagpur partners with SMPK to Revitalize Hooghly Riverbanks
A comprehensive new masterplan aims to enhance heritage
conservation, elevate urban aesthetics, and unlock river tourism
in Kolkata and Howrah.
IIT Kharagpur has officially partnered with the Syama Prasad
Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) to design a comprehensive
Riverbank Masterplan for the Hooghly River. The focus is on the
revitalization of historic ghats and riverbanks stretching
across Kolkata and Howrah. Through this initiative, CoE-UPD, IIT
Kharagpur will provide the architectural and planning expertise
needed to improve urban aesthetics while ensuring strict
heritage conservation. A cornerstone of the project is the
proposed development of a state-of-the-art river cruise
terminal. In alignment with the Responsible Tourism Mission
2025, this joint effort is expected to dramatically unlock the
region's tourism potential.
Date: September 2, 2025
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) For Enhancing Universal Accessibility during Cultural Festivals
2025 Edition
Durga Puja in Kolkata
(inscribed in UNESCO’ s Representative List of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021)
UN in India with UNESCO as technical lead, has collaborated with
IIT Kharagpur to develop the Standard Operating Procedures
(SOPs) for Enhancing Universal Accessibility during Cultural Festivals.
(SOPs) for Enhancing Universal Accessibility during Cultural Festivals.
