Department of Civil Engineering, BITS Pilani successfully hosted the "Advances in Sustainable Materials, Modelling, and Infrastructure (ASMMI 2025)" conference from February 17 to 19, bringing together academia, industry leaders, and researchers to explore innovations in sustainable infrastructure.

The conference was inaugurated by Padma Shri Laxman Singh, Secretary of Gram Vikas Navyuvak Mandal Laporiya, Jaipur, Rajasthan, with Prof. Manoranjan Parida, Director of CSIR-CRRI New Delhi and President of the Indian Road Congress, as the Guest of Honour. The event was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice-Chancellor of BITS Pilani, Prof. Sudhirkumar V. Barai, Former Director and Director Designate of BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus, Prof. Dipendu Bhunia, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at BITS Pilani, and Prof. Subhasis Pradhan, Organizing Convener of ASMMI 2025. Sponsored by ANRF-SERB, Springer Nature, ICI, Y Access Equipment, Earthcon Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd., and Spotlite, the conference aimed to foster collaboration between academia and industry in advancing sustainable infrastructure.

The conference featured several distinguished speakers who addressed key challenges and advancements in the field. Prof. Manoranjan Parida delivered a plenary lecture on "Sustainable Pathways to Transport Infrastructure Development," covering topics such as Sustainable Development Goals, road infrastructure, sustainable urban mobility, and transportation practices. Padma Shri Laxman Singh spoke on the significance of environmental conservation, emphasizing the need to care for the Earth and nature as a fundamental responsibility. Prof. Bishwajit Bhattacharjee from IIT Delhi presented insights on "Net Zero Carbon Challenges and Solutions for the Concrete and Construction Industry," discussing innovative approaches for achieving carbon neutrality in the construction sector. Prof. Yang En-Hua from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, delivered a talk on "Strategic Utilization of Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator Bottom Ash as Construction Material," highlighting waste management solutions for sustainable infrastructure.

Several technical sessions were conducted, featuring research and case studies from experts in the field. Prof. Purnanand Savoikar from Goa Engineering College spoke on sustainable plastic waste management and its applications in the construction industry. Prof. Phalguni Mukhopadhyaya from the University of Victoria, Canada, discussed the use of infrared thermography and unmanned aerial vehicles for energy audits of sustainable building envelopes. Prof. Nikhil Saboo from IIT Roorkee explored the use of sugarcane molasses for producing bio-bitumen as a sustainable alternative in road construction. Ms. Pravina Moses delivered an online lecture on emerging trends in environmental engineering for sustainable infrastructure, addressing issues such as water management, waste reduction, and pollution control. Prof. Debasish Bandyopadhyay from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, presented studies on numerical modeling for solving structural challenges in overhead water reservoirs. Mr. Rajiv Goel from Earthcon Systems Pvt. Ltd. shared a case study on the SMSE Wall at Khellani Tunnel, while Col. Naresh Sharma, an Indian Army veteran with extensive experience in infrastructure planning, spoke on common mistakes made by consultants in sewer network and STP planning. Mr. Vanjul Jain, Managing Director and CEO of Youngman, also contributed to the discussions with his industry insights.

A panel discussion on "Bridging the Gap between Academia and Industry in Sustainable and Smart Infrastructure Development" was a major highlight of the conference. The discussion featured prominent panelists, including Prof. Rajiv Gupta, Prof. A. P. Singh, and Col. Soumyabrata Chakraborty from BITS Pilani, alongside industry experts Mr. Rajiv Goel and Col. Naresh Sharma. Prof. Phalguni Mukhopadhyaya from the University of Victoria, Canada, also contributed to the dialogue. The panel focused on strengthening industry-academia collaboration, promoting sustainable infrastructure innovations, and integrating emerging technologies for efficient and sustainable development.

The conference concluded with a valedictory session, where Mr. Rajiv Goel and Col. Naresh Sharma were felicitated for their contributions. Prof. Brij Kishore Pandey, Organizing Chairman from BITS Pilani Dubai Campus, delivered a Vote of Thanks, expressing gratitude to all participants, speakers, and organizers for their efforts in making ASMMI 2025 a successful and impactful event. The conference provided a vital platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable infrastructure development.