Category: Expert Insight

Researchers at IIT Kharagpur use Diffused Reflectance Spectroscopy based Rapid Soil Testing method for Agri-small holder farms

In a recent study by IIT Kharagpur in collaboration with the International Crops Research Institute of Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, has developed and validated the efficiency of Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) models for high throughput soil analysis for impact at scale in small-holder systems.

Years of research at the Agricultural and Food Engineering (AgFE) Department of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur shows that Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) may be used safely for rapid soil assessment. Conventional soil testing laboratories use wet chemistry-based soil testing methods that are time consuming and can become expensive when a large number of samples to be analysed. On the other hand, spectral reflectance of a soil sample can be rapidly measured in a non-contact mode and the results can be transformed to multiple soil parameters using calibrated spectral algorithms. Once the Diffused Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) algorithms are developed for a region, the algorithms may be used for analyzing soil samples collected from different fields and at different time of sampling. The technology is rapid, non-invasive and involves no chemical use, for estimating multiple soil parameters.

The DRS approach was shown to be effective for estimating 8 out of 17 soil parameters with as high as 80% accuracy. Specifically, the soil test crop response (STCR) ratings estimated through the DRS approach matched the wet chemistry-based STCR ratings to the tune of 43 to 100%. “This is a great opportunity because most nutrient management strategies are based on STCR ratings and these ratings may be safely estimated using the DRS approach in a very rapid manner,” says Professor B. S. Das from IIT Kharagpur. More than 60% of the new samples estimated with more than 70% accuracy indicates a huge opportunity to apply the DRS technique at different spatial and temporal scales. The partnership with ICRISAT has been very productive in developing these innovative methods for rapid soil health assessment, Prof Das further added.

“ICRISAT has been at the forefront of global efforts to advance sensor-based technologies,” says Dr. Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT. “Our recent work with NIRS-based spectroscopy for soil nutrient analysis, along with this pioneering research towards DRS models for soil analysis, ensures our commitment to deliver rapid and cost-effective alternatives to resource-poor agriculture systems.”

This is a step forward in making soil testing a feasibility through remote sensing. As the IEEE Standards Association embarks on standardizing soil spectroscopy as a standard method of soil testing (P4005 – Standards and protocols for soil spectroscopy), the efforts at IIT Kharagpur is a step forward in making soil testing through reflectance spectroscopy a reality. Developing methods for rapid soil testing for the benefit of millions of smallholder farmers of our country resonates well with IIT Kharagpur’s long commitment for low cost soil analysis for improved agricultural practices.

Media Coverage:

PTI UNI Statesman
News 18 (Bengali) The Week Agrospectrum India
The Bengal Post GNE Bangla MSN.com
ETV Bharat    

By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us on: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp;  Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
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No Severe Ozone Depletion in the Tropics

A ground-breaking study led by Prof. Jayanarayanan Kuttippurath from the Centre for Ocean, River, Atmosphere and Land Sciences (CORAL) at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-Kharagpur), in collaboration with international researchers, has refuted previous claims of a severe ozone hole in the tropical stratosphere. The study provides reassurance that there is no significant ozone depletion in the tropics and no associated health threat.

The recent study entitled “No Severe Ozone Depletion in the Tropical Stratosphere in Recent Decades,” challenges earlier assertions of a year-round massive ozone hole in the tropics. The previous research suggested that such an ozone hole could potentially impact the health of about half of the world’s population residing in tropical regions.

Stratospheric ozone is an important constituent of the atmosphere. Significant changes in its concentrations have great consequences for the environment, ecosystems and public health. The researchers analyzed ground-based, ozonesonde and satellite ozone measurements to examine the ozone depletion and the spatiotemporal trends in ozone in the tropics during the past 5 decades (1980–2022). The amount of column ozone in the tropics is relatively small compared to high and mid-latitudes. In addition, the tropical total ozone trend is very small as estimated for the period 1998–2022. No observational evidence is found regarding the indications or signatures of severe stratospheric ozone depletion in the tropics in contrast to a recent claim. Also, the current understanding and observational evidence do not provide any support for the possibility of an ozone hole occurring outside Antarctica today with respect to the present-day stratospheric halogen levels.


Figure 1: The distribution of Total Column Ozone (TCO in DU) averaged over the tropics (30° S–30° N) from different satellites from 1978 to 2022. The light lines show the monthly distribution, whereas dark lines show the annually averaged value of TCO. The dotted line shows the decadal distribution of TCO from MERRA–2 and ERA–5.

Key Findings of the IIT-Kharagpur Study:

  1. No Evidence of Ozone Hole: The study utilized an extensive array of ground-based, satellite, and reanalysis data, revealing that there is no robust observational evidence for a significant ozone hole in the tropics. Average ozone levels in these regions remain well above the critical threshold of 220 Dobson Units used to define the ozone hole.
  2. Flaws in Previous Data: The earlier study that reported the ozone hole relied on inadequate data, primarily from surface to 11 km altitude, which is insufficient to accurately assess the ozone levels at the critical 15–20 km altitude. This study also identified high uncertainty and gaps in the dataset used by the previous researcher, which led to the inaccurate conclusions.
  3. Ozone Trends and Dynamics: The IIT-led research demonstrates that any observed decrease in tropical ozone levels is due to atmospheric dynamics, not chemical depletion. Contrary to earlier claims, the study found either a small increase or no significant trend in ozone levels in the tropical lower stratosphere.
  4. No Health Threat: Based on current atmospheric halogen levels, the study confirms that there is no immediate risk of an ozone hole forming outside the Polar Regions, and thus, no associated health threat to the tropical population.

“In contrast to a previous claim, our study finds that there is no ozone hole in the tropics and therefore, no health threat associated with that. Also, it is very unlikely to have an ozone hole in the tropics with respect to the current halogen levels. The average ozone values are always about 260 DU in the tropics, which is well above the ozone hole criterion of 220 DU. The slight decrease observed in the tropical ozone in recent decades is due to the changes in atmospheric dynamics, not because of chemistry, and this has also been known to scientific community for long.” said the lead author of the study, Prof. Jayanarayanan Kuttippurath, CORAL, IIT Kharagpur.

Rolf Müller, Sophie Godin-Beekmann, and Jerome Brioude, who collaborated from Germany, France, and France, respectively, also emphasized that the study’s results align with the current scientific consensus regarding ozone dynamics and atmospheric conditions.

“The study that claimed a tropical ozone hole used data from surface to 11 km altitude, which are insufficient to assess ozone distribution at 15–20 km, the core ozone region in the atmosphere. Also, the dataset used in that study has high uncertainty and large gaps, which make it unfit to claim any scientific finding. On the other hand, we have used all then available datasets in the tropical region and found that there is no severe ozone depletion,” stated the Research Scholar and author of the study G S Gopikrishnan, CORAL, IIT Kharagpur.

                                     Prof. Jayanarayanan Kuttippurath                 Mr. G S Gopikrishnan

                                    Associate Professor, CORAL                              Research Scholar, CORAL

                                                 IIT Kharagpur                                                      IIT Kharagpur

“Ozone holes are confined to Antarctica due to unique condition such as extreme cold temperatures, strong polar vortex and presence of polar stratospheric clouds for 4-5 months, and this particular state of the atmosphere is absent in the tropics. Ozone dynamics in the tropics is primarily influenced by atmospheric circulation patterns. Thus, the study that claimed a tropical ozone hole is based on a flawed theoretical framework and inadequate measurements.” added, Prof.  Kuttippurath.

For more details, please refer to the full study: “No Severe Ozone Depletion in the Tropical Stratosphere in Recent Decades” published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.

Media Coverage:

Economic Times Statesman Zee News
The Print Economic Times (Energy) News 18 Bangla
Ei Samay The Bengal Post Kolkata Hindi News
ETV Bharat (H) ETV Bharat (B) Amar Ujala
Devdiscourse Construction Week Online Bizz Buzz
Biplabh Sambad Darpan Down to Earth  MM

Times of India

 


MM News (South)


By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us on: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp;  Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
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IIT KGP Alumnus led Rapido becomes Unicorn with fresh $120 million funding

The journey from idea to execution is a dynamic and thrilling adventure, where creativity meets action in a dance of innovation. It all begins with a spark—an idea that ignites imagination and hints at possibilities beyond the familiar. This nascent concept is then nurtured through careful planning and thoughtful creation, transforming abstract thoughts into tangible plans and prototypes. As the vision takes shape, execution becomes the thrilling final act, where strategy and effort converge to bring the idea to life. This phase demands not just commitment and precision but also a willingness to adapt and refine.

The result is a vibrant manifestation of creativity and hard work, where an initial thought blossoms into a completed project, resonating with impact and success. This is the story of Rapido, a mobile application on transport mobility which has come a long way after its inception in 2015. The ride-hailing start-up has raised a funding of $120 million (about Rs 1,000 crore) in primary capital from existing investor WestBridge Capital at a post-money valuation of $1 billion, showed regulatory filings thus making it the latest company to join the coveted unicorn club. The ride-hailing startup has become the third unicorn in India this year, after Perfios and Ola founder Bhavish Aggarwal’s Krutrim AI.

Founded in 2015 by Aravind Sanka, Pavan Guntupalli, and Rishikesh SR, Rapido had raised $180 million in Series D funding round in April 2022, led by Swiggy, which valued the mobility startup at $800 million. Rapido has raised about $430 million till date. Mr. Pavan Guntupalli is an Alumnus of IIT Kharagpur who has completed his B.Tech in Electronics and Electrical Communications Engineering (2008-2012). Prior to Rapido, Mr. Pavan Guntupalli was a Software Developer in Samsung Research India, Bangalore from

Rishikesh SR, Aravind Sanka, Pavan Guntupalli (L-R)

The investor poured in the fresh capital through three of its related entities – Setu AIF Trust, Konark Trust, and MMPL Trust, as per regulatory filings. The Hyderabad-based firm which started off as an auto and bike taxi aggregator, has also ventured into cabs. The company will expand its auto and cab offerings in newer cities across India. The market analysts are projecting that the Bengaluru-based bike taxi company is likely to raise another $20 million from global investors.

“With over 10 lakh bike taxi riders and around 20 lakh bike rides happening every week, it’s evident that bike taxis play a crucial role in Karnataka’s transportation ecosystem. This data highlights the significant demand and reliance placed on bike taxis for convenient and efficient mobility solutions across the state. Rapido expresses confidence that the transport department of the government of Karnataka will adopt a more comprehensive approach, in line with the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and the recent advisory issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways related to the grant of contract carriage permit to two-wheelers,” said Pavan Guntupalli, Co-founder of Rapido.

We’re #1 choice of 10 Million people because we’re the solution of India’s intra-city commuting problems. With assured safety, we also provide economically priced rides. Our bike taxis can dodge the traffic during peak hours and get you to the destination in a jiffy! So when you think travel, think Rapido. With a lot of hardwork and perseverance we have made a place for ourselves in the market. As a brand and as a service, it is our constant endeavour to redefine ourselves.” – Rapido

Rapido, like its rivals Ola and Uber, has rolled out subscription-based plans for auto rickshaw drivers on its platform instead of charging a booking fee or commission on every transaction. Rapido has also forayed into cab-hailing services, essentially becoming a full-stack ride-hailing firm.

Rapido has raised $329 million in funding prior to the latest round. Nexus Venture Partners and Integrated Capital are among its other investors. The company has managed to reduce its burn to around $2-3 million a month and is on track for operational profitability by FY25-end. Rapido has also forayed into the hyper-local parcel delivery and cab service market as it looks to expand its offerings from auto and bike taxi services.

“We firmly believe that the revised approach will facilitate the grant of contract carriage permits to two-wheelers and bike taxis, aligning Karnataka with states that have successfully implemented similar models. This move is not only crucial for the growth of the sector but also ensures compliance with the existing provisions of Motor Vehicles Act 1988 and Motor Vehicle Rules,” Guntupalli added.

Rapido was among late-stage firms engaged in talks to raise a large round at a marginally higher valuation than its last fundraise. The new round, which is yet to be fully closed, could also see a secondary component being stitched up with some early investors exiting their positions. The company was valued at $825 million after its $180 million funding in April 2022. While Rapido is yet to disclose FY24 numbers, the firm’s operating revenue surged 3X to ₹443 crore during FY23.

“By leveraging the latest safety technologies and on-boarding/training for our captains. Every ride is tracked by Rapido with access to granular latitudinal and longitudinal. In line with our Safety First philosophy, we have been conducting a stringent Four-step Background Verification of every captain on our platform since hiring process, verification through third party vendor, captain training process, captain monitoring process and captain retention process.” – Rapido

For more, visit
https://www.rapido.bike/

Media Courtesy:

TOI The Hindu Business Line Economic Times
Business Standard Hindustan Times Money Control
En Trackr Inc42  

By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us on: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp;  Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
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Exploring the Leadership Role in Public Service

Partha Ghosh Academy of Leadership (PGAL) at IIT Kharagpur is back again with a Leadership Talk Series and this time with the most renowned and celebrated leaders of  time, Mr. Amitabh Kant, Ex-CEO of NITI Aayog and India’s G-20 Sherpa who will speak on Leadership in Public Service on 28th May 2024. He is the man who is an exceptional bureaucrat and a driving force behind transformative initiatives such as ‘Make in India,’ ‘Start Up India,’ and ‘Ease of Doing Business.’ His deep understanding of ethical leadership, inclusive policymaking, and innovative mobility solutions has positioned him as one of India’s most influential thought leaders. Mr. Kant’s visionary approach has significantly contributed to shaping India’s economic landscape and fostering an environment of growth and innovation.

PGAL is excited to share the latest updates and developments from the academy, where they are dedicated to nurturing and empowering the leaders of tomorrow. The Academy of Leadership gears up to conduct a Leadership Talk Series on Cultivating Ethical Leadership by bridging the universe within with the universe outside. Recently, the academy had the privilege of running an intensive Leadership Training program for the National Informatics Centre (NIC). This program was specially designed to equip NIC professionals with the skills and insights necessary to navigate and lead in the rapidly evolving landscape of information technology and digital governance.

The comprehensive curriculum covered a wide range of topics including strategic thinking, effective communication, change management, and innovation. Through interactive workshops, case studies, and practical exercises, participants were able to develop a deeper understanding of leadership principles and how to apply them in their daily roles. The feedback from NIC participants has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the transformative impact of the training on their professional lives.

Empowering the Ministry of Education

In addition to working with NIC, the academy of leadership has also conducted a leadership training program for the Ministry of Education. This initiative aimed to enhance the leadership capabilities of education sector professionals, enabling them to drive reforms and improvements within the educational system.

We are thrilled to announce an incredible opportunity to attend a virtual lecture by the esteemed Mr. Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa and former CEO of NITI Aayog. This event, organized by the Partha Ghosh Academy of Leadership at IIT Kharagpur, promises to be a source of invaluable insights and inspiration for all attendees.

Featured Speakers 🎤
In addition to Mr. Kant, they are honored with the presence of:
  • Dr. Partha S. Ghosh: A distinguished scholar and leader in his own right, who will offer his insights on leadership and strategic thinking.
  • Commander VK Jaitly: With extensive experience in leadership and management, he will provide a compelling perspective on effective organizational dynamics.
Monthly International Leadership Talk Series

One of the highlights of the leadership academy is the Monthly International Leadership Talk Series, where they host world-renowned leaders to discuss various aspects of “Leadership Education” and more. These online sessions are an incredible opportunity for aspiring leaders to gain insights from some of the most influential figures in the field of leadership.

Each month, a distinguished speaker shares their experiences, challenges, and strategies for effective leadership. Topics range from global leadership trends to personal development and resilience. Our recent sessions have featured leaders from diverse backgrounds, including corporate executives, thought leaders, and innovators.

The Academy encourages everyone to join these insightful sessions to learn from the best and stay updated on the latest trends in leadership. To stay informed about upcoming talks and other programs, be sure to follow the respective social media channels.

Follow Us on Social Media

To keep the community engaged and informed, the academy actively shares leadership tips, updates, and announcements on their social media channels. Whether you are looking for daily inspiration, practical advice, or information about their programs, the social media platforms are a valuable resource.

By following PGAL, you will be the first to know about their latest initiatives, upcoming events, and exclusive content. Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay connected and be part of our growing community of leaders.

Partha Ghosh Academy of Leadership is committed to provide world-class leadership education and training. Their programs for NIC and the Ministry of Education, coupled with our International Leadership Talk Series, are designed to inspire and empower leaders across various sectors.

We invite you to join us on this journey of learning and growth. Participate in their programs, attend their monthly talks, and follow us on social media to stay updated and engaged. Together, we can build a future where effective, compassionate, and innovative leadership drives positive change.

Feel free to contact us for more information:

Inputs by: Partho Ghosh Academy of Leadership Team
Email: s93majee@gmail.com

Edited By: Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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Centre of Excellence for Advance Manufacturing Technology develops grounding projects in AI – iWeld & iToFD

IIT Kharagpur has proven its Tryst with Innovation with its latest dominant supremacy in the field of Artificial Intelligence with two of its ground breaking projects on AI-enabled non-destructive testing for weld defect analysis, from Centre of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing Technology (CoEAMT),  IIT Kharagpur led by Prof. Surjya K Pal, Chairperson, Centre of Excellence in Advance Manufacturing. These two innovative solutions have been shortlisted by TATA STEEL for “TechEx 2024” exhibition.

The first, “iWeld, an AI-enabled NDT” software is an innovative solution developed for Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE)  Kolkata, Ministry of Defence. iWeld is designed to identify, localize and classify different types of weld defects, such as blowhole, wormhole, porosity, lack of fusion, and inclusion, from radiography images with remarkable accuracy. The performance of the iWeld has been certified by the Indian Register of Shipping (No.: 2023PC001, Dated: 9th Aug 2023). This was also recently shortlisted as one of the four innovations from IIT Kharagpur which were showcased at “IInventiv 2024” – the first-of-its-kind, mega R&D fair, where all IITs, NITs and other top Institutions in the country participated to show case the their cutting-edge innovations in R&D.

The ability of iWeld to enhance the quality and efficiency of weld inspections has marked it as a truly successful product, standing as a testament to successful collaboration between CoEAMT and GRSE. Jointly copyrighted with GRSE, iWeld is now primed for commercialization. Mr. Avishek Mukherjee, a Doctoral Scholar in Advanced Technology Development Centre, has devoted considerable effort and dedication to bring about this development.

“Recently, this has also been selected and showcased by the mega technical Event, IInventiv 2024, organised by MoE at IIT Hyderabad. This software is already certified by Indian Register of Shipping, and has been handed over to GRSE for daily operational usage with human-like accuracy. This software has been jointly copyrighted with GRSE as well. It is a product with TRL:8/9. GRSE and CoEAMT will now jointly go ahead for commercialization at other industrial ends. AI-enabled NDT for auto evaluation of weld defects from Ultrasound data: This project is being funded by TIH. It has already been filed for patent. A group of students at CoEAMT are planning to spin-off soon with these AI-enabled NDT solutions for weld defect analyses. Our students are doing wonderful job. Their success for solving perennial industrial problems is awesome. The credit goes to the interns and scholars,” said Prof. S K Pal, Chairperson, CoEAMT.

The second solution, “iToFD“, under a project funded by  (TiH) of IIT Kharagpur, revolutionizes the detection and sizing of weld defects using ultrasonic time-of-flight diffraction (ToFD) data. This cutting-edge system integrates advanced signal processing with AI algorithms for precise defect localization and measurement. This automated solution, patented recently (Patent filed ref no: 202331060331), is nearly 15 times faster than traditional manual inspections. Mr. A K Vishwanathan, Undergraduate student in Chemistry; Mr. Sarvan Kumar Singh, Undergraduate student in Chemical Engineering; Mr. Ananta Dutta, Doctoral Scholar in Mechanical Engineering, and Mr. Avishek Mukherjee, Doctoral Scholar in Advanced Technology Development Centre are diligently contributing to this project.

“The Centre of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing Technology at IIT Kharagpur is geared up in solving various perennial problems of the industries through deployment of artificial intelligence, and Industry 4.0 concepts.   I am extremely happy to see the passion of students associated with the CoEAMT while working with the industries, at this stage of their lives, providing innovative solutions. They shine with a profound grasp of industrial challenges. CoEAMT is open to induct more students and train them to take up interesting and challenging industrial problems, and solve them,” added Prof. Pal.

Inputs by: Prof. Surjya K Pal, Chairperson, Centre of Excellence in Advance Manufacturing Technology
Email: surjya.pal@icloud.com

Media Coverage :

Times of India

Ananda Bazar Patrika 

News 18 Bangla     

Construction Week

By: Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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Effective Roadmap on Speed Management Policy for Safer Roads

The civil engineering department of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, along with Paribahan Bhawan, transport department headquarters on R N Mukherjee Road, launched a study document on policy interventions and roadmap for effective implementations of speed management in the city and districts in a programme scheduled on 9th January 2024.

Transport Minister Snehashis Chakraborty; State Transport Secretary Saumitra Mohan; Director-Transport; Secretary -School Education; Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic)-Kolkata Traffic Police; Inspector General of Police- West Bengal Police; Regional Officer-National Highways Authority of India; Joint Secretary-Urban Development; other dignitaries and Prof. Bhargab Maitra of IIT Kharagpur launched the document. After a thorough study of more than two years since 2022, the IIT Kharagpur has prepared the roadmap making recommendations on maximum speed limits of vehicles plying on different National Highways (NHs), state highways (SHs), and other roads under local administrations in the state.

For the first time, the state transport department is all set to limit maximum speed of vehicles plying across the state to prevent an increase in the number of deaths caused by road accidents.

“The state transport department has accepted our document and roadmap on how to prevent road accidents and deaths in our state. The purpose of this move is to communicate the idea of prevention and control speed so that the number of accidents comes down. Common people will get benefits once recommendations made by us are implemented by the state government,” added Prof. Bhargab Moitra, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Kharagpur and  transport specialist who was the lead expert of the study.

The document revealed that speeding vehicles are the single largest cause of road accidents in the state, which records 6,000 deaths every year on an average. The state also ranks 11 in terms of deaths caused by fatal road accidents in the country that comes in the top in the world considering the highest number of 450 deaths daily.

It also threw light on how speed and accident fatality are scientifically inter-related. For instance, maximum speed for a motor vehicle should not cross 30 kmph in roads close to markets, schools, hospitals etc., and have capped the speed limits for all vehicles at 50km/hr on major arterial roads, where pedestrians, two-wheeler-riders and non-mechanized transport are largely protected or segregated from motorized and speedier modes of traffic.

On a separate segment of urban roads, which does not require a speed limit of 30 km/hr but does not qualify for 50 km/hr speed limits either. Vehicles can be allowed 40 km/hr, the document states that for long, elevated corridors or at-grade segments, where there is no pedestrian or bicyclist, no roadside friction no buses and trucks, and where two-wheelers are separated a higher speed limit may be accepted for cars and similar light vehicles. But the speed for two-wheelers should be restricted to not beyond 50 km/hr said the document, which is largely applicable for urban roads.

“The safe speed limit is also a function of traffic volume and therefore, might be lower under high volume to capacity ratio, the experts have argued stating why two separate maximum speed regimes can be followed. Under some extreme conditions, the safe speed limit might be even lower than that recommended in front of schools, “Therefore, drivers must apply their discretion and bring down the speed under such conditions,” said Prof. Maitra.

The report also talks of faulty use of traffic tools in front of schools and why it is necessary to use scientific and why it is necessary to use scientific and modern road designs in front of school gates. “Several speed management and traffic calming measures across all types of roads such as speed breakers and rumble strips which are already existing are inappropriate in many ways and are not effective and in many cases are acting as safety hazards. To determine their appropriateness in terms of suitability, design, and placement, extensive audit of the existing speed management and traffic-calming measures is very necessary. This is all the more true for roads in front of schools,” said an expert.

“Besides speed limits, modifications in infrastructure plan and design features should be used to produce a ‘self-explaining road’. Road development authority should be continuously involved in improving the road engineering aspects to make the roads safer in the schools,” the note states. The document reportedly also stressed on the use of speed governors on all vehicles carrying school students.

Speed limits in roads where pedestrians are not protected properly should also be restricted strongly by law enforcing authorities. There should be highend electronic-based evidence systems to monitor speed limits so that police can take proper action against speeding vehicles, the document recommends. Police personnel should be more responsible to take strong actions against speeding vehicles after verifying electronic-based evidence.

In 2022, the share of road crash fatalities due to speeding in the state is found to be 32.3%. Around 70% of the fatalities include pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle riders, who share the same road space as high-speed vehicles effective speed management becomes a matter of necessity as a means of reducing road crashes and fatalities, were shared in the document.

Media Coverage:

Times of India Telegraph Statesman
Millennium Post News 18 ETV Bharat
Ananda Bazar Patrika    

Follow up articles:

  • Times of India –  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/iit-study-recommends-lower-vehicle-speed-in-school-zones-during-opening-hours/articleshow/106745023.cms
  • Statesman – https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/safe-corridors-to-minimise-road-accidents-1503258034.html

Study By : Prof. Bhargab Maitra, Dept. of Civil Engineering, IIT Kharagpur
Email: bhargab@civil.iitkgp.ac.in

By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us on: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp;  Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
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IIT Kharagpur ranked 5th in India in QS Asia University Ranking 2024

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT KGP) overall ranked 5th in India and 59th in Asia, according to the latest edition of QS Asia World University Ranking for the year 2024. The largest and first IIT of the country has made its entry in the top 7% in the QS Asia University Rankings with an overall score of 54.5.

Speaking on the QS Asia University Rankings 2024, Prof. V K Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur remarked, “IIT Kharagpur has upheld the nation’s resolve to excel the standards of globalization with advance manufacturing systems and transportation, safety engineering and analytics, quality and reliability, affordable healthcare, precision agriculture & food nutrition and smart infrastructure to contribute towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat. As an institute of eminence, Technological Research Parks, Centre of Excellence, startup incubators, Lab to Market products and Nano Missions are the new local ecology for innovation and technological pursuits of our institute.

The UK-based ranking agency Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Ranking 2024: Asia features 148 Universities from India in the Asia overall list which has 857 Universities being listed in total. There are 37 new entries from India compared to last year’s report, which is significantly more than only seven new entries from China. Peking University from China retains its top-most position, this year too. A total of seven Indian institutions feature in the top 100 ranks of QS World University Rankings: Asia; of which five are IITs, whereas other two include Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and Delhi University.

Being 4th among all the IITs in the country, IIT Kharagpur has performed well in parameters like international research network, papers per faculty, employer and academic reputation and staff members with PhD.

Successful implementation of Technology Vision 2047 as instituted by our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi require participation of several stakeholders including government agencies, public and private enterprises, academic and research organizations. We have to acquire the opportunity in digital economy space and biomedical engineering fostering technological expansions by creating the human-machine synergy that would set the future technology development agenda for the developed India, added Prof. Tewari. 

By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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Sustainable Alternatives in Energy, Environment & Healthcare for Science & Society

INDO-US, INDO-AUSTRALIA AND INDO-CANADA INTERDISCIPLINARY WORKSHOPS AT IIT KHARAGPUR

The Bioprocess & Bioproduct Development Laboratory of the Department of Biotechnology, IIT Kharagpur along with the collaborators from USA, Australia, and Canada organized three days workshop under the Government of India’s Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) from 24th to 26th February 2023. The workshops were inaugurated by Prof. Amit Patra, Deputy Director, IIT Kharagpur in the august presence of Dr. Prachi Kaul, Director, Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute and Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti, Dean BTBS, IIT Kharagpur. The workshop saw a footfall of  more than 80 participants from both within and outside the horizons of IIT Kharagpur. Sustainable Alternatives in Energy, Environment, and Healthcare for the well-being of Science and Society was the theme of the three different workshops that spanned across the institute.

Pic : Inaugural session of the Indo-US SPARC Workshop (L-R) – Professor Warren D. Seider from the University of Pennsylvania was present online; Prof. Amit Patra, Deputy Director, IIT Kharagpur; Prof. N. R. Jana, HOD, Department of Biotechnology and Prof. Ramkrishna Sen, Department of Biotechnology (Convener) were present physically for the inauguration ceremony.

The three day long programme witnessed 20 speakers from 10 National and International universities and institutes accompanied by eminent industry leaders. On 24th February 2023, the first of the series INDO-US workshop was initiated on ‘Algaeneering for Global Energy and Climate Challenge’, jointly organized by the Bioprocess and Bioproduct Development Laboratory (BBDL) at IIT Kharagpur and the University of Pennsylvania, USA wherein academia researchers and industry experts across India and the US discussed the challenges, avenues, and technologies in research, development & innovations and techno-commercial assessment of renewable energy sectors.

Prof. Warren D. Seider, a world-renowned Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania delivered a plenary lecture. The other speakers at the workshop were Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee; Prof. Pinaki Bhattacharyya Emeritus Professor, Head, R&D, Chemical Engineering, Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata; Dr. Anindita Moitra, Chief General Manager, Indian Oil Corporation Limited; Dr. Sangeeta Srivastava, Executive Director, Godavari Biorefineries Ltd., Karnataka and Dr. Harshad R. Velankar, Chief Manager, Bioprocess Group, Hindustan Petroleum Green R & D Center, Bengaluru.

Pic : Inaugural session of the Indo-AUS SPARC Workshop (L-R): Prof. Saswat Chakraborty, Dean BTBS, IIT Kharagpur; Prof. D. N. Singh, IIT Bombay; Prof. N. R. Jana, HOD, Department of Biotechnology and Prof. Ramkrishna Sen (Convener) in the inauguration ceremony.

Under the aegis of SPARC, the second day of the INDO-AUSTRALIA workshop scheduled on 25th February 2023 focused on ‘Bioinspired Solutions for Natural & Built Environment: Science, Society & Wellbeing.’ The Australian collaborators under the SPARC program from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Curtin University; Prof. Abhijit Mukherjee and Dr. Navdeep Dhami joined hands with the experts from India, Prof. Devendra Narain Singh, D. L. Shah Chair Professor for Innovation, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay; Prof. Brajadulal Chattopadhyay, Professor, Jadavpur University; Mr. Ramananda Adhikari, Deputy General Manager, Hindustan Copper Limited, Kolkata and Dr. Santanu Dasgupta, Senior Vice President, Reliance Technology Group, Reliance Industries Limited, Mumbai put forth a series of insightful talks.

Pic : Dr. Santanu Dasgupta, Senior Vice President, Reliance Technology Group, Reliance Industries Limited, Mumbai, India delivering his plenary talk online

A multidisciplinary concerted effort and partnership between educational institutions and industries was deemed to be instrumental in advancing research and development was highlighted in these workshops through the active participation of three PSUs including Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Hindustan Computers Limited (HCL) and two private industry market players Reliance and Godavari Biorefineries. These industry experts visited algal biomass production facility, a demo park created under the ambit of IMPRINT-IIA scheme (DST-SERB) between IIT Kharagpur and HPCL.

The INDO-CANADA workshop was held on 26th February 26, 2023 with the funding supports from Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute (SICI) and SPARC on the theme ‘Green/Bio-polymers as renewable and sustainable alternatives to Petro-plastics: Energy-Environment-Healthcare Nexus’ with the active involvement of Prof. Sudip Kumar Rakshit, Canada Research Chair Professor, Bioenergy & Biorefining Research Institute, Lakehead University, Canada and Prof. Satinder Kaur Brar, James & Joanne Love Chair in Environmental Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University, Canada. Enthralling talks were also delivered by Dr. Santanu Dasgupta, Senior Vice President, Reliance Technology Group, Reliance Industries Limited, Mumbai, India; Prof. Prashant Mishra, Former Head, Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi; Prof. Dipankar Chattopadhyay, Former Head, Department of Polymer Science & Technology, University of Calcutta, and Dr. Krishna Chattopadhyay, Jadavpur University and Anchor, DD Bangla, Doordarshan Kendra, Kolkata. Dr. Santanu Das Gupta gave virtual demonstration of their state-of-the-art biorefinery facility, highlighting the challenges and mentioning the need and scopes of Industrial-Academia collaborations.

Pic : Prof. Sen demonstrating the high-rate algal pond, one-of-its-kind facility to capture the industrial emissions and valorize towards biofuels and healthcare products.

Participants delivered oral presentations of their research work in the three day workshops where Prof. Sen’s doctoral students, Mr. Romit Mitra and Ms. Ankita Debnath presented their work on algal biorefinery and bio-cementation perspectives, respectively.

Pic : Group photo at the valedictory session on Day 3

Prof. Ramkrishna Sen, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Kharagpur & Convener of the workshops remarked, “All the workshops were well organized by the members of the Bioprocess & Bioproduct Development Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Kharagpur which acknowledges Mr. Satyanarayana Reddy Battula, Dr. Chinmay Hazra and Dr. Debasree Kundu for their tremendous efforts and ground level coordination. Financial supports accorded by SPARC, an initiative of the Ministry of Education, GoI as well as the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute (SICI) thus, paved the platform for developing an exciting research ecosystem through cohesive academic and research collaborations was well received by the overwhelming participants. “

Input By : Prof. Ramkrishna Sen, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Kharagpur
Email: rksen@bt.iitkgp.ac.in

Edited By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us on: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp;  Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
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Devastating Aftermath of Cyclones

Isotope studies by IIT Kharagpur and Academia Sinica, Taiwan scientists shed light on how the cyclones sustain their energy.

Cyclones are increasingly becoming perilous to the coastal populations of the subcontinent. Climate change due to global warming, projects that the frequency of category 4 and 5 storms (60 to >70 m/s sustained wind speed) will be doubled by the end of the 21st century. However, the question remains: why some cyclones are devastating while others are not? What controls the intensity of cyclonic winds and rains? Cyclones are gigantic vortex, 500-700 km in diameter and 20 km in height, which form when sea surface temperature is higher than normal. They get their energy from evaporation of the underlying seawaters, forming spirally rotating rain bands around the centre called eye where the winds are strongest. The latent heat released during conversion of vapor to rain acts as fuel and the raining vortex moves on.  However, one critical question has been bothering scientists: what is the exact mechanism and the source that supply moisture to the cyclone? Is it evaporation alone from the sea beneath, or the pre-existing atmospheric vapors?

The scientists from IIT Kharagpur and Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taiwan have found the exact mechanism and the source that supply moisture to the cyclones. The research analyses the devastating aftermath of cyclones in respect to Cycle Sitrang which made its landfall on Bangladesh on 25 October 2022 . The study indicates that the cyclone movement through the atmosphere continuously scavenges the existing vapour over the vortex cross-section much like a moving suction pump and provide the first experimental evidence of a theoretical model.

Prof. Anindyo Sarkar
Dept. of Geology & Geophysics
IIT Kharagpur

“West Pacific Ocean waters are the warmest in the world, producing nearly 30% cyclones of the world that routinely devastate Taiwan, China and Japan. There cannot be any better place to study the internal mechanism of these cyclones. In Chinese the cyclones are called ‘Typhoons’ (daaihfùng) meaning “great wind”. We have studied four such typhoons, named Nepartak, Meranti, Malakas and Megi of category 4/5, which devastated Taiwan in the year 2016. Billions of dollars of properties and lives were damaged in the due course which formed basis of this study. Our study indicates that the cyclone movement through the atmosphere continuously scavenges the existing vapour over the vortex cross-section much like a moving suction pump and provide the first experimental evidence of a theoretical model suggested by Russian atmospheric scientists,” said Sarkar” said Prof. Anindya Sarkar, Department of Geology & Geophysics and co-author of the research paper that has just been published in prestigious, ‘Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres of American Geophysical Union.’

Prof. Mao-Chang Liang
Academia Sinica
Taipei, Taiwan

“Flying experimental airplanes through the typhoons have been attempted but is pretty dangerous. To circumvent this, we placed a mass spectrometer on top of a tall building to continuously measure the isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen in the vapor as these typhoons approached Taiwan. This technique provided us real-time variation inside typhoons every ten minutes as it was raining and vapour compositions changed. Since both cyclone frequency and intensities are increasing due to on-going climate change, this observation will be very important while studying the tropical cyclones that recurrently hit both India and Taiwan/Japan region. It also opened up avenues for future collaboration between the two countries,” stated Prof. Mao-Chang Liang of Academia Sinica and the collaborator of the study.

Sourendra Bhattacharya,
Former Visiting Professor
IIT Kharagpur

Sourendra Bhattacharya, a former visiting Professor at IIT Kharagpur and the lead author of the paper cited,”Cyclones are extremely dynamic systems and rainfall as high as ~150 mm per hour is very common. As the cyclone moves, shedding of this enormous amount of rain causes a progressive reduction in the ratio of the isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen in the leftover vapor mass. We tracked this magnitude of reduction, calculated and modelled to see how much rains were scavenged by these moving cyclones.”

Typhoon Nepartak (left) and Megi (right) those devastated Taiwan in 2016 just like cyclone Amphan that struck Indian east coast in 2020 caused death, misery and destruction.

The mass spectrometer (right) that continuously measured isotopes on the top of Academia Sinica building (left) as the typhoons passed over.

Details of the paper: Vapor isotope probing of typhoons invading the Taiwan region in 2016 by S.K. Bhattacharya, Anindya Sarkar, Mao-Chang Liang. Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres, American Geophysical Union.

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2022JD036578

Media Coverage :

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Contact Person: Prof. Prof. Anindyo Sarkar, Department of Geology & Geophysics, IIT Kharagpur
Email: anindya@gg.iitkgp.ac.in

Edited By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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Scientific & Uniform Speed Management to Reduce Fatal Road Accidents

Highlights :

  • The institute made recommendations based on road geometry & traffic characteristics
  • The fatalities in road accidents have increased by 1.3%
  • Initiate Audit of existing speed management measures, study of accidents and speed monitoring

India has always been on the edge when it comes to road safety and speed management. Even with new policy reforms and measures to curb road accident, a total of 3,66,138 road accidents caused the loss of 1,31,714 lives in 2020 as per the statistics of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). 1.2 lakh deaths were reported by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) for the same year as death caused by accidents. The persistently high annual death toll brings into question the country’s ability to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.6, which aims to halve the fatalities and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2030. Despite Covid-induced restrictions, on-road travel accident severity value i.e. persons killed per 100 accidents was 36 in 2020, up from 33.7 in 2019.

Researchers from IIT Kharagpur has recently submitted recommendations for scientific and uniform nationwide speed management to reduce fatal road accidents to the West Bengal government. It has accepted the suggestions in principle but there is a need for nationwide and uniform implementation. In its policy document, IIT Kharagpur recommended the constitution of state and district road safety councils comprising of various departments regarding scientific fixing of speed limits and erection of road signage, engineering initiatives, audit of existing speed management measures, study of accidents, speed monitoring, strict implementation of guidelines and mass public awareness about road safety.

Professor Bhargab Maitra, Civil Engineering Department, IIT Kharagpur who led a team of professors in formulating the document said, “We have made the recommendations based on road geometry, traffic characteristics and roadside environment. Although there are several Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines which may be followed for better traffic management, the lack of a comprehensive and uniform speed management policy is an important concern in the Indian context.”

“In 2021, MoRTH proposed a reduction of road accidents and fatalities by 50 per cent by 2024. Speed management may provide the scope of bringing down the severity of road accidents. Keeping in mind the reality of traffic on Indian roads, it is essential to revisit and set appropriate speed limits to enhance road safety,” he added.

Times Of India

The document submitted by the Institute observed that a majority of the road stretches in the country, both in urban and rural areas, have mixed traffic, absence of lane discipline, uncontrolled access, roadside development and activities and a significant share of vulnerable road users.

Quoting the statistics of MoRTH, Prof. Maitra said, “Speeding caused more than 72 per cent of road accidents and 69 per cent of road accident fatalities in 2020. Also, there is a need to curb speed limits near potentially risky areas such as shopping zones, schools and hospitals. Only a few stretches have wide paved shoulders, median barriers, sufficient clear zones, access roads, good alignment and intersection treatments which are important engineering aspects to ensure road safety.

New global and country-level estimates suggest that routinely wearing helmets and seat belts, obeying speed limits, and avoiding driving drunk could save between 347,000 and 540,000 lives worldwide every year, said a study published in The Lancet.

“Road accidents are a leading cause of death and injuries in India, which tops the world in the number of fatalities due to such mishaps. 4.5 lakh road accidents took place in 2019, resulting in more than 1.51 lakh deaths. Besides creating enormous social causes for families, road traffic injuries put a heavy burden on health services and the national economy. Keeping in mind the reality of traffic on Indian roads, it is essential to revisit and set appropriate speed limits to enhance road safety. Hence, the implementation of IIT Kharagpur’s recommendations will be beneficial with the ongoing massive road development across the country.” he stated.

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Contact : Prof. Bhargab Maitra, Civil Engineering Department, IIT Kharagpur; Email- bhargab@civil.iitkgp.ac.in; Ph no. : +91-3222-283458

Content Writer : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp;  Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
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