The IIT Roorkee Alumni Association Nepal (IITRAAN) Chapter successfully hosted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Technical Talk Program on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Himalayan Restro & Events Pvt. Ltd. in Kathmandu. The event brought together esteemed alumni for an engaging afternoon of organizational updates, knowledge sharing, and professional networking. The entire program was expertly guided by Er. Unam Man Pradhan, who served as the Master of Ceremony.

The AGM commenced with a warm welcome address by Vice President Er. Saroj Pandit, followed by opening remarks from Former President Er. Bhubaneshwor Pradhan. General Secretary Er. Basu Dev Pokharel presented the annual progress brief, while EC Member Er. Sangita Thapa provided the financial update on behalf of Treasurer Er. Biswa Kumar Balla. Following an active Q&A, President Er. Om Bahadur Rawat delivered the closing remarks for the administrative session.

The highlight of the afternoon was the Technical Session, which featured profound insights into some of Nepal’s most critical infrastructure challenges:

• Road Slope Stability in Nepal: Standing Strong in the Himalayas: Er. Tuk Lal Adhikari delivered a comprehensive overview of slope stability challenges stemming from the geological fragility of the Himalayas. He highlighted the evolution of local stabilization practices—such as gabion walls and bioengineering—and showcased landmark infrastructure examples like the Lamosangu-Jiri Road. Notably, he emphasized how these engineered mitigation measures successfully withstood extreme events, including the 2015 Gorkha earthquake.

• Challenges of Large-Scale Irrigation Project Development in Nepal: Er. Bir Singh Dhami presented a detailed case study on the Sikta Irrigation Project. Tracing the historical development of irrigation in the country, his presentation delved into the complex geotechnical and operational hurdles of large-scale projects, with a specific focus on managing dispersive soils and related structural challenges.

Following engaging Q&A segments for both papers, Er. Mohan Shakya delivered Critical Remarks on the Technical Session. He synthesized the afternoon’s technical discussions and broadened the scope by connecting these engineering principles to other national mega-projects, including the Nepal East-West Railway, Nijgadh International Airport, the Sunkoshi Marin Diversion, and major hydroelectric developments like the Tamor Storage Project.

The enriching program wrapped up with concluding remarks from Immediate Past President Er. Umesh Bahadur Malla. Attendees then gathered for a networking and cocktail dinner, continuing their discussions and celebrating the enduring professional bonds within the IITRAAN community.

The links to the technical presentations and critical remarks are as follows:

Roadside stability in Nepal-Standing strong in the Himalayas

Challenges of Large Irrigation Projects-A Case Study from Sikta IP

Critical remarks on the technical presentation