Lucknow, October 10, 2026: Integral University, Lucknow, successfully concluded its International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics and Sustainable Materials for Advanced Resilient Infrastructure (TG-SMART 2026) with a valedictory session at the Central Auditorium on October 10, 2026.

Organised by the Department of Civil Engineering from October 8 to 10, 2026, in association with the Indian Geotechnical Society (IGS), Lucknow Chapter, and with CSIR-CBRI and CSIR-CRRI as technical partners, the conference brought together academicians, researchers, industry experts and professionals from across the country. The deliberations focused on emerging developments in transportation geotechnics, sustainable construction materials and resilient infrastructure.

Prof. Syed Aqeel Ahmad, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering and Convenor of TG-SMART 2026, welcomed the dignitaries and participants and presented an overview of the conference proceedings. The discussions highlighted the need to address contemporary infrastructure challenges through innovative technologies, sustainable materials and advanced engineering practices.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Furqan Qamar, Vice Chancellor of Integral University and Chair of the Conference, congratulated the organising team on the successful completion of the event. He highlighted the significant role civil engineers have played since ancient times in shaping civilisations, developing essential infrastructure and contributing to societal progress. He also emphasised the continued relevance of civil engineering in meeting the evolving needs of modern society.

Shri Vijay Kumar Singh, Technical Advisor, Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD), attended the valedictory session as the Chief Guest. Congratulating the organisers, he stressed the importance of developing infrastructure that responds to societal needs and promotes public welfare. He also underlined the role of educational institutions in generating knowledge, promoting industry-oriented research and preparing skilled professionals capable of addressing real-world challenges.

Prof. Virendra Pathak, Director of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), Lucknow, attended as the Guest of Honour. He highlighted the importance of infrastructure in the global economy and appreciated the efforts of the organisers, speakers and participants in making the conference successful.

The valedictory session also featured addresses by Prof. Ramanathan Ayothiraman of IIT Tirupati, Prof. Arif Ali Baig Moghal of NIT Warangal, and Prof. Mohammad Haris Siddiqui, Registrar of Integral University and Co-Patron of the conference. They shared their perspectives on the conference themes and emerging developments in sustainable materials, transportation geotechnics and infrastructure resilience.

As part of the concluding programme, awards were presented to young researchers from reputed institutions and organisations across the country in recognition of their outstanding research contributions in emerging areas of transportation geotechnics. The awards acknowledged the quality and merit of their work and encouraged further research and innovation in the field.

TG-SMART 2026 underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among academia, research institutions and industry in developing sustainable solutions to infrastructure challenges. The conference concluded with a renewed emphasis on advancing engineering research, promoting sustainable construction practices and building resilient infrastructure for the future.