Bhubaneswar: The State Water Informatics Centre (SWIC), under the Department of Water Resources (DoWR) organized a technical workshop on “Introduction of Best Practices in Data Management and Digitization for Water Resources Monitoring using Artificial Intelligence (AI)” in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar (IIT BBSR) on Friday.
The objective of the workshop was to strengthen the technical and institutional capacities of government officials, domain experts, and key stakeholders involved in water resource governance. This initiative aims to promote the adoption of emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, best practices, and technological frameworks to facilitate data-driven planning, efficient monitoring, and informed decision-making in the water sector.
The workshop was inaugurated by Chief Guest Anu Garg, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, DoWR, who highlighted the significance of technological integration and intelligent data systems in addressing the growing challenges of water resource management.
In her address, Garg said, “We are preparing the Vision Document for Viksit Odisha @2036 and Viksit Bharat @2047, and when we look across various chapters—whether it is women-led development, climate resilience, or good governance with IT initiatives—digitization and data management hold immense relevance. In this context, it is important that every department adopts AI to improve efficiency and transparency in its operations.”
In his keynote address, Er. Krushna Chandra Mohanty, Director, SWIC, emphasized the need for adopting data-driven governance models to ensure the sustainable and equitable use of water resources.
Other dignitaries who addressed the participants during the inaugural session included Dr. C.S. Padhi, EIC, WR; Er. A. Sarangi, Director, IIWM; and Dr. B.K. Sahoo, Regional Director, CGWB.
This initiative aligns with the Government’s vision of leveraging advanced technologies for sustainable and integrated natural resource management. The workshop featured technical sessions led by subject-matter experts, focusing on real-world applications of AI in areas such as real-time water resource monitoring, predictive analytics, and the development of digital data systems.
Officers from the State Water Informatics Centre, Odisha, and allied departments participated in the workshop. It is expected to foster inter-sectoral coordination and accelerate the integration of AI-based systems into routine operations. The workshop provided a strategic platform to align the State’s initiatives with national development goals and global best practices in water resource governance. It also underscored the role of the State Water Informatics Centre as a central knowledge hub for water-related data and its application in planning and policymaking.
The event marked a progressive step toward the digitization and modernization of the water governance ecosystem in Odisha and paved the way for continued collaboration between government agencies and leading academic institutions.
In Technical Session I, Dr. Debi Prasad Dogra, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Bhubaneswar, presented on “Introduction to AI and Data Analysis: Scope in Water Resource Management.” Simultaneously, Team “Vasar” delivered a presentation on the functioning of Odisha Water ERP “GOWATER,” a Smart Water Governance System developed by the Department of Water Resources.
In Technical Session II, Dr. Sandip Patnaik from the School of Earth, Ocean and Climate Science, IIT Bhubaneswar, presented on the “Application of AI in Rainfall Prediction.” In Session III, Dr. Ram Prada Padhy from the Department of Computer Science & Engineering, School of Electrical and Computer Sciences, IIT Bhubaneswar, delivered a talk on “Deep Learning and Best Practices for Water Resources Management,” while Dr. Meenu Ramdas Sarkar from the School of Infrastructure, IIT Bhubaneswar, presented on “Water Resources Management and Digital Technology.”
The workshop was interactive and highly engaging. The collaboration between SWIC and IIT Bhubaneswar in initiating this valuable dialogue and training program is expected to encourage all participants—engineers, data managers, IT professionals, and planners—to absorb the knowledge shared and explore ways to collaboratively institutionalize these best practices across various departments.
