The guest lecture focused on “Revitalizing India’s Inland Waterways: Strategic Pathways to a Viksit Bharat”, within the broader context of multi-modal logistics in India. Ashutosh began by outlining the objectives of the Ministry of Shipping, emphasizing the integration of inland waterways (IWT) into the multi-modal transport mix alongside road and rail. This integration aims to reduce cargo transport costs, lower emissions, and promote sustainability.

He highlighted current logistics costs per ton-kilometer: Rs1.57 for rail, Rs 0.55 for coastal shipping, Rs 3.60 for road, and Rs18 for air. These figures are significantly higher compared to developed nations, where logistics costs as a percentage of GDP are approximately 11% in Japan, 10% in the USA, and 8% in Germany. Ashutosh presented two scenarios—current and proposed modal mixes of rail, road, and IWT—demonstrating how transportation costs could be reduced from 14% to 10% of GDP. Such a reduction would have a substantial positive impact on the economy and carbon emissions.

He then traced the evolution of India's inland water transport system and introduced a five-year strategic roadmap for its development. Following this, he provided an overview of the maritime sector and the Ministry's aspirations under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) INDIA@2047, marking 100 years of India's independence. He gave examples of IWAI (Inland Waterways Authority of India) in action including green shipping initiatives.

In conclusion, he presented a high-level view of Infra Vision 2047, detailing the planned infrastructure financing mix, key aspirations, challenges, and the government’s strategic interventions. The session ended with an interactive Q&A, where Ashutosh addressed students’ questions.

In this inspiring guest lecture session, Akhilesh reaffirmed the critical relevance of civil engineering in the modern world. He began by reminding students that civil engineering has always been the backbone of civilization — shaping bridges, roads, airports, and cities. Yet, today’s civil engineers are no longer just builders of structures; they are creators of intelligent, adaptive, and sustainable systems that must respond to rapidly changing needs.

Nearly every aspect of human life unfolds within infrastructure — from homes and schools to roads and transport systems — much of which is conceived and executed by civil engineers. With emerging technologies like AI-based urban planning, IoT-enabled utilities, and wireless EV charging lanes already in deployment, the profession is undergoing a profound transformation.

Akhilesh emphasized that the future belongs to digitally empowered engineers who can blend core civil engineering knowledge with advanced tools such as Digital Twins, Big Data Analytics, and real-time monitoring systems. Smart technologies are already enhancing decision-making and asset management, while sustainable design tools are reducing environmental impact and aligning infrastructure development with global climate goals.

He discussed how intelligent transport systems are redefining mobility through AI-powered traffic control, vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, and satellite-based tolling. Smart roads, energy-optimizing buildings, and sensor-integrated assets are no longer concepts — they are operational realities. However, integrating these systems comes with challenges, including high costs, legacy integration issues, and the need for skilled professionals.

To overcome these hurdles, he called for greater adoption of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), a startup mindset within civil engineering, and active student participation in national missions like Gati Shakti and Smart Cities. The future of the discipline lies in mastering code, data, and digital tools — not just concrete and steel.

India, he noted, is emerging as a leader in digital infrastructure, with visions of cities modeled as Digital Twins, AI-driven construction, and real-time connectivity through 5G and beyond. The lecture concluded with a message of empowerment to students: they are not merely engineers but nation builders. Civil engineering is not fading — it is evolving, and those who embrace this evolution will shape the future of a Viksit Bharat@2047.