Webinar on ‘Approaches to Urban Architecture, Engineering & Visualizing Development’ organizes by APWD

Port Blair, May 07: A webinar on ‘Approaches to Urban Architecture, Engineering & Visualizing Development’ was organized by the Andaman Public Works Department in the Seminar hall of DBRAIT here today. The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Mr. Keshav Chandra, IAS inaugurated the workshop as the chief guest.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Secretary congratulated APWD for conducting the workshop which is very relevant for A&N Islands by roping in renowned experts from the mainland that has vast experience in the subject. The Chief Secretary stated that street designing is very important and all the factors have to be incorporated while designing, so that it benefits the society at large.
The Chief Secretary further mentioned that Andaman is uniquely placed and it has the potential to emerge as a sought after tourist destination. The Administration is making its best effort to give this place the right position it deserves and urged the experts to visit the Flagship Island, Swaraj Dweep and suggest measures to further improve the master plan of the Island. In this context, it is very important to keep interacting with the professionals who have done tremendous work in this field, the Chief Secretary said.
Expressing his views post the presentations made by the renowned experts, the Chief Secretary thanked the experts from mainland viz. Ms. Mriganka Saxena Khanna, Architecture, Partner, Habitat Tectonics Architecture & Urbanism (HTAU), Gurugram, Ms. Sujata Hingorani, Architecture, Oasis Designs Inc., New Delhi and Ms Paromita Roy, Senior Architect (DWk&WZ), HUPW, Delhi Development Authority for their detailed presentations. The Chief Secretary further said that Engineers should also possess some knowledge about urban planning and development. Everything has to be put together in a cohesive mode which can be translated into developing a well planned city, the Chief Secretary added.
Earlier, welcoming the chief guest and others present on the occasion, the Secretary, APWD, Mr. Arjun Sharma, IAS said that the Islands has very limited revenue land and development should take place keeping in mind the fragile ecology of the Islands. The Islands have to be developed in a sustainable manner over the next 20-25 years balancing both these aspirations is the crux of the workshop, he said.
The renowned experts from the mainland made a vibrant presentation on sustainable development, new concept of master plan and modern method of planning.