SRINAGAR: The Institution of Engineers India, Jammu and Kashmir State Centre (IEI-JKSC), organised a webinar on Sunday to commemorate National Maritime Day. The event, themed ‘Maritime India – Empowering Progress,’ brought together professionals and experts to discuss the significance of maritime development for national growth.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the webinar aimed to foster dialogue on the expanding role of maritime activities in India’s economic advancement. Participants included engineers, policymakers, administrators, students, and domain specialists, all engaging in deliberations centered on the critical aspects of maritime infrastructure and its contribution to the nation’s progress.
Er Irfan Ahmad Reshi, Honorary Secretary of IEI-JKSC, inaugurated the session by detailing India’s extensive maritime capabilities. He highlighted the nation’s coastline, stretching over 7,500 kilometres, and its substantial Exclusive Economic Zone, covering approximately 2.4 million square kilometres. Reshi underscored the vital economic and strategic importance of the maritime sector, noting that it handles nearly 95 percent of India’s trade volume by sea.
Chairman of IEI-JKSC, Er Ferdous Ahad Bhat, in his welcome address, emphasised the necessity of synergistic collaboration between engineers, governmental bodies, and industry leaders to bolster the maritime ecosystem. He advocated for sustainable and technologically advanced solutions. Bhat also pointed out that while Jammu and Kashmir is a landlocked region, it possesses potential for inland water transport, citing resources like Dal Lake and the River Jhelum, which could enhance tourism and connectivity within the Union Territory.
The keynote address was delivered by Capt. Dr Bhaskar Bhandarkar, Chairman of the Marine Division Board, IEI. Dr Bhandarkar provided an overview of current initiatives focused on modernising ports, improving shipping efficiency, and promoting coastal development. He also touched upon emerging trends such as the increasing digitalisation in shipping and urged for greater involvement from engineers and the youth in driving innovation and building capacity within the maritime domain.
Further insights were shared by other distinguished speakers, including Er VB Singh, Immediate Past President of IEI, Er Manoj Kumar, and Er BL Rawal. Their contributions focused on strengthening maritime infrastructure, refining policy frameworks, and adopting cutting-edge technologies to ensure the sustainable growth of the sector.
The initiative by IEI-JKSC to create a platform for discussing pertinent national issues received commendation from the speakers. The webinar concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, allowing participants to engage directly with the experts. This engagement served to highlight the relevance of maritime development in steering India’s economic trajectory.
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