The Ministry of Rural Development has recently embarked on a groundbreaking partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi to advance the application of geospatial technology and artificial intelligence in rural development. The collaboration, signed through a Memorandum of Understanding between Joint Secretary Amit Kataria and Prof. Manabendra Saharia, aims to enhance the monitoring and management of assets under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) through the ambitious project ‘BhuPRAHARI.’
This innovative initiative leverages ground and space-based geospatial technologies along with Artificial Intelligence to streamline rural development processes and ensure operational efficiency and transparency in MGNREGA projects. Under the expert guidance of Prof. Manabendra Saharia and his HydroSense lab, the project is set to revolutionize the planning, monitoring, and execution of rural development projects, optimizing resource allocation and promoting accountability.
During the official signing in New Delhi, Secretary Shailesh Kumar Singh, Director Rangan Banerjee, and other key officials expressed their commitment to harnessing the power of technology for the betterment of rural communities. The collaboration between MoRD and IIT Delhi signifies a shared vision to drive socio-economic progress through technological innovation and academic-government partnerships.
Prof. Rangan Banerjee emphasized IIT Delhi’s dedication to applying scientific research and technological solutions for social good, marking the beginning of a collaborative effort to address the challenges faced by rural communities. The commencement of the BhuPRAHARI project signals a new era of transformative change, blending cutting-edge technologies with grassroots development initiatives for sustainable impact.
