HPU and DRDO Join Hands to Strengthen Disaster Preparedness and Infrastructure Safety in Himalayas
In a move aimed at enhancing disaster resilience and safeguarding critical infrastructure in the Himalayan region, Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) and the Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE), a premier laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), have initiated discussions on long-term scientific and technological collaboration.
The dialogue took place during the visit of Dr. P.K. Satyawali, Director of DGRE-DRDO, to Himachal Pradesh University, where he held extensive discussions with HPU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mahavir Singh.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Nainjeet Singh Negi, Director of the Research and Development Cell at HPU, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Deputy Director of the Himalayan Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience (HIM-DR³), and Dr. Simranjit Singh, Scientist ‘G’ at DGRE-DRDO, Chandigarh.
A key focus of the discussions was collaboration in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience (DRRR). The two institutions explored possibilities for installing Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), strengthening hazard monitoring systems, and conducting scientific studies that can support the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for strategically important infrastructure projects across Himachal Pradesh.
During the interaction, Dr. Mahesh Sharma presented the hydrodynamic modelling framework developed by HIM-DR³. The model is being used to study flash-flood behaviour, support risk-based planning, and improve resilience in vulnerable Himalayan regions. Impressed by the initiative, Dr. Satyawali invited the HPU team to deliver a detailed technical presentation before DGRE scientists to identify potential areas for joint research and technology development.
Highlighting the university’s growing emphasis on innovation-driven research, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mahavir Singh spoke about the establishment of five multidisciplinary research centres at HPU. He said these centres have been designed as hubs of excellence that promote interdisciplinary research, innovation, capacity building, and contributions to national development.
Both HPU and DGRE expressed a strong interest in forging a long-term partnership in areas such as disaster risk reduction, geospatial technologies, climate resilience, protection of critical infrastructure, and strategic research in the Himalayan region. The institutions also agreed to prepare a joint project proposal in the near future to advance collaborative research and technological initiatives.
The visit is being viewed as a significant step toward strengthening ties between academia and defence research institutions, while harnessing scientific expertise to improve resilience, sustainability, and strategic preparedness in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
