NIT Srinagar Faculty Secures Rs 73.92 Lakh Grant for Infrastructure Research in Jammu Kashmir

SRINAGAR: A faculty member from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar has secured a prestigious research grant of Rs 73,92,450 from the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, for a project aimed at strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s infrastructure through advanced material technology.

The three-year project, titled Strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s Infrastructure: Corrosion-Resistant and High Strength 6082 T6 Aluminium Alloy for Bridges and High Structures, will be led by Dr Deepak Kumar Naik, Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department, as the Principal Investigator, along with Dr Sandeep Samantaray, Assistant Professor in the Civil Engineering Department, as the Co-Principal Investigator.

The research will focus on enhancing the mechanical strength and corrosion resistance of the 6082 T6 aluminium alloy, making it suitable for demanding infrastructure projects such as bridges, towers, and high-rise structures in the Union Territory. Given the region’s challenging climate and terrain, the project aims to provide durable, safe, and cost-effective construction materials.

Director NIT Srinagar, Prof Binod Kumar Kanaujia, congratulated Dr Naik and Dr Samantaray, stating that the project reflected the institute’s commitment to solving real-world engineering challenges and contributing to regional development. “This project is a testament to our faculty’s capability to secure competitive national grants and address critical engineering challenges. It will have a direct impact on infrastructure quality in the region,” he said.

Registrar Prof Atikur Rehman also praised the achievement, noting that such initiatives strengthen the institute’s research profile and demonstrate how academic expertise can be channelled to meet pressing developmental needs. “This grant is a significant milestone that will reinforce the institute’s role in national infrastructure initiatives, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Dr Naik expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Mines for the support, noting that the funding would enable cutting-edge research to enhance the properties of the 6082 T6 aluminium alloy. Dr Samantaray highlighted that the outcomes would directly benefit infrastructure projects in J&K’s demanding climatic conditions.

He added that his research group is currently working on multiple projects dedicated to the development of Jammu and Kashmir, with the combined value of these initiatives amounting to Rs 1.06 crore.