Odisha Hosts AI-Powered Workshop to Strengthen Water Resource Governance

Bhubaneswar: In a major push toward digital transformation of natural resource governance, the State Water Informatics Centre (SWIC), under the Department of Water Resources, Government of Odisha, organized a technical workshop on “Introduction of Best Practices in Data Management and Digitization for Water Resources Monitoring using Artificial Intelligence (AI).” Held in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar, the workshop aimed to enhance the technical and institutional capacities of government officials, engineers, and planners engaged in the water sector.

The workshop was inaugurated by Smt. Anu Garg, IAS, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Water Resources, who underscored the importance of integrating technology into governance frameworks. Highlighting the broader development goals of the state and nation, she stated that as Odisha prepares its Vision Document for “Viksit Odisha @2036” and contributes to “Viksit Bharat @2047”, digitization and AI hold immense relevance. She called on all departments to adopt AI-based systems to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability in governance.

Delivering the keynote address, Er. Krushna Chandra Mohanty, Director of SWIC, emphasized the necessity of building data-driven governance models to ensure the sustainable and equitable use of water resources. He noted that the use of intelligent systems can drastically improve monitoring and policy responses in the face of growing climate and population-related pressures. Other senior officials, including Dr. C.S. Padhi, Engineer-in-Chief, Water Resources, Er. A. Sarangi, Director of the Indian Institute of Water Management (IIWM), and Dr. B.K. Sahoo, Regional Director of the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), also addressed the inaugural session, stressing the importance of inter-agency coordination and scientific integration in water resource planning.

The technical sessions that followed featured leading experts from IIT Bhubaneswar. Dr. Debi Prasad Dogra, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, presented an overview of artificial intelligence and data analysis, particularly its potential in water resource management. During the same session, the Vasar team demonstrated the functioning of “GOWATER,” Odisha’s Water Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system developed by the Department of Water Resources, which has been designed as a smart governance solution for water-related functions.

In the second technical session, Dr. Sandip Patnaik from the School of Earth, Ocean and Climate Science presented AI-based applications for rainfall prediction, showcasing how emerging tools can support real-time planning and preparedness. The third session featured Dr. Ram Prada Padhy from the School of Electrical and Computer Sciences, who introduced deep learning models and best practices for data management in water governance. Dr. Meenu Ramdas Sarkar from the School of Infrastructure followed with a presentation on digital technologies and their role in efficient water resource planning.

The workshop drew participation from engineers, IT professionals, planners, and data managers from SWIC and other allied departments. It served as a strategic platform to promote cross-sectoral learning, foster collaboration, and align Odisha’s initiatives with national development goals and global best practices. The event also reaffirmed SWIC’s growing role as a central knowledge and data hub for water governance in the state.

By initiating this dialogue and training program with IIT Bhubaneswar, the Department of Water Resources has taken a major step toward institutionalizing AI-based systems and digital governance in water management. The workshop represents Odisha’s commitment to future-ready, sustainable, and technologically empowered public infrastructure.