Mr. Sumit Verma will present his APS as per the detail below:

Date: 29th September 2023

Time: 1730 – 1830 hrs.

Venue: CTARA Conference Room No.2

Topic: Repair and Maintenance Infrastructure: IIT Bombay

Guide: Prof. Pankaj Sekhsaria

RPC Members: Prof. Satish Agnihotri, Prof. Himanshu Burte, Prof. Mahendra Shahare

Abstract:

Infrastructure is an integrated system of facilities, equipment, methodologies, and services, forming not merely a material construct but a dynamic, multi-dimensional entity. This complex system shapes and is shaped by human activity. It is assessed not just through its physical condition or technological efficiency but also through a phenomenological lens, exploring its existential dimensions as a lived experience. Infrastructure holds a pivotal role in the functioning and development of modern society, advocating for designs and maintenance that focus on accessibility and inclusivity. Technological milestones like the implementation of steam power and electrification have continually shaped infrastructure. Furthermore, policy and regulations are intertwined with its planning, design, and implementation, underscoring a multifaceted domain that reflects diverse research scenarios, challenges, and opportunities. As infrastructure evolves, there is a continuous need for interdisciplinary approaches and a trajectory towards sustainability, technological integration, and global collaboration. Adding a layer of complexity, Star (1999) argues that often-ignored elements like sewers and power supplies are crucial for understanding distributional justice and planning power. Schnitzler's ethnography reveals that infrastructure systems, engineered at specific political moments, have enduring impacts on the political landscape. Anand (2017) extends this discourse by highlighting the banal yet politically charged aspects of infrastructure, adding that it shapes and perpetuates existing social and political relationships. Collectively, these scholars illuminate the system-level complexities of infrastructure, from its design to its long-term societal impacts.