Dr Sanjeev Naval highlighted need for development to be in sync with United Nations’ sustainable development goals at annual general meeting of ASCE India Section (North Region)

Jalandhar, February 22, 2023: The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) India Section North Region’s Annual General Meeting was held at Hotel Shivalik View Chandigarh. Civil engineering professionals, and academicians, from the North Region of India, attended the event.

The ASCE India Section North Region aims to promote the civil engineering profession’s growth and development in the North Region of India by fostering communication and cooperation among the industry, government, and academia. The section provides technical programs, professional development, and networking opportunities for civil engineers and students.

The meeting commenced with Dr. Har Amrit Singh Sandhu, President ASCE India Section North Region, and Faculty PEC Chandigarh, sharing his insights on the significance of technical societies in educational institutes. He emphasized the importance of providing a platform for students to learn and grow by engaging with industry professionals and experts. 

The event’s Chief Guest was Rajan Datt, Commissioner, Customs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. He spoke about the critical role of civil engineering in making India a developed country. He highlighted the need for continuous innovation and urged professionals to work towards sustainable development.

Dr. Sanjeev Naval, Secretary ASCE IS NR, and Principal DAVIET Jalandhar discussed the challenges in real-life projects and emphasized the need for development to be in sync with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr. Naval emphasized that civil engineering projects significantly impact the environment, local communities, and society. Therefore, ensuring the development process is sustainable and inclusive is crucial. He also highlighted that infrastructure development projects must consider the project’s long-term sustainability and impact on the environment and local communities. Furthermore, Dr. Naval highlighted that the SDGs are seventeen goals that aim to promote sustainable development globally, addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. Aligning infrastructure development with the SDGs ensures that the project contributes to the broader sustainable development goal while promoting inclusive growth. He shared that “aligning development with the SDGs, civil engineers can help promote sustainable and inclusive growth that benefits everyone.”

Dr. Ankit Bansal, Treasurer ASCE India NR, and SDO PAU Jalandhar gave a vote of thanks, assuring the audience that society would be proactive in conducting more interactive programs and collaborations for solutions in these challenging times. He also lauded the efforts of the student coordinators (Annan Bansal, Arjun Sharma, Pankaj Bhasin, Jahnvi, and others) for organizing the event of such magnitude. 

The committee reiterated its commitment to leaving no stone unturned to make civil engineering projects sustainable and eco-friendly in the region. The faculty and students of NIT Hamirpur, NIT Kurukshetra, PEC Chandigarh, Shiv Nadar University Gurgaon, MMU Ambala, UPES Dehradun, and GNE Ludhiana attended this meeting. The event provided civil engineering professionals and students an excellent opportunity to network, share their experiences, and learn from each other.