Gandhinagar, Gujarat Dec 20: Building Bharat Sampaark Innovation Boot Camp in Civil Engineering, held at IIT Gandhinagar from 17th to 19th December 2025, concluded with exceptional participation and a remarkable showcase of innovation by young engineers from across the country. Designed exclusively for civil engineering students, the Boot Camp stands apart as one of India’s only dedicated platforms nurturing engineering talent aligned with the nation’s infrastructure priorities and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Uniquely focused on civil engineering challenges, the Boot Camp addressed crucial themes including construction quality, resilient infrastructure, safety, asset management, monitoring of lifeline structures, and emerging construction technologies. Students were encouraged to move beyond theoretical learning and develop implementable, real-world solutions that strengthen India’s infrastructure landscape.
The event witnessed an extraordinary response from students nationwide, with registrations far exceeding expectations and over 600 entries, including more than 70 high-quality hackathon ideas from institutes across India. This overwhelming participation reflects the sector’s rising aspiration for innovation-led civil engineering education and has encouraged the organizers to expand the initiative to multiple regions in the coming year.
Over three days, participants engaged in expert-led sessions conducted by senior academicians, infrastructure specialists, innovators, and industry professionals. Mentorship formed the core of the experience, with experts guiding teams in refining problem statements, assessing feasibility, improving prototypes, and preparing solutions for final presentations.
Dr. Rajaneesh Dasgupta, Trustee & Director General – Association of Infrastructure Industry (India) and National Director – Building Bharat Sampaark,
speaking at the event, said:
“We have received an extraordinary response to the Building Bharat Sampaark Innovation Boot Camp in Civil Engineering, with over 600 entries and more than 70 structured hackathon ideas—far exceeding our expectations. This enthusiasm reflects the strong desire among civil engineering students to innovate and contribute meaningfully to India’s infrastructure journey. By remaining purely focused on civil engineering, this platform addresses a critical gap in capacity building aligned with Viksit Bharat. To expand its reach, we will conduct additional editions in Kanpur and South India, ensuring students across regions have equal opportunities to participate and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.”
The Boot Camp successfully bridged academia and industry, enabling students to gain exposure to the complexities of infrastructure development. Experts highlighted how how innovation plays critical role in advancements in quality monitoring, data-driven asset management, construction safety, and resilient systems are integral to India’s long-term development vision.
Professor Rajat Moona, Director, IIT Gandhinagar said:“Civil engineering sits at the core of nation-building, and innovation is essential for addressing the complex infrastructure challenges of the future. This Boot Camp gives students an opportunity to understand the depth of these challenges and encourages them to create solutions that are practical, scalable, and impactful. Platforms like this are crucial for shaping India’s future engineering leaders.”
Reflecting its long-term mission, the initiative announced plans to host upcoming editions of the Building Bharat Sampaark Innovation Boot Camp in Civil Engineering in North & South India, ensuring broader inclusivity and nationwide talent participation.
Professor Pranab Kumar Mohapatra, IIT Gandhinagar, commented on the learning impact of the initiative, he said:
“This initiative pushes students to think creatively and understand innovation as a necessary part of civil engineering practice. It allows them to learn from experts, test ideas, and explore the real applications of engineering knowledge. The enthusiasm shown by participants proves the importance of such platforms in shaping the next generation of innovators.”
The resounding success of this edition reinforces the importance of nurturing young civil engineers equipped with technical expertise, innovative thinking, and problem-solving capabilities. By remaining purely focused on civil engineering innovation, the Boot Camp continues to strengthen India’s engineering ecosystem and contribute meaningfully to the objectives of Viksit Bharat 2047.