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IIT Gandhinagar Launches ‘AI Resilience and Command’ Centre for Data Driven Climate Risk Management

IIT Gandhinagar has launched the AI Resilience and Command (ARC) Centre to strengthen data-driven climate risk management in India. The centre will support real-time flood assessment, scenario analysis, and decision-making for urban systems using advanced AI and physics-consistent modelling.

By : Ritika 2026-02-07 18:06:03

GGandhinagar - The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) has taken a major step towards strengthening climate resilience and urban risk preparedness in India with the launch of the AI Resilience and Command (ARC) Centre. The centre aims to enable data-driven, anticipatory decision-making to support cities in managing climate-related risks, particularly urban flooding.

Located at the IIT Gandhinagar Research Park, the ARC Centre will integrate physics-consistent modelling and Artificial Intelligence to support real-time flood assessment, scenario analysis, and operational decision support for urban systems. The initiative marks a significant milestone in translating academic research into deployable tools for public agencies and urban governance.

The launch event was attended by senior government officials, including Dr. Sangeeta Singh, Vigilance Commissioner of Gujarat; Shri P. C. Vyas, Secretary, Water Resources Department, Government of Gujarat; Shri P. R. Patelia, Secretary, Roads and Buildings Department; and Shri M. D. Patel, Special Secretary, Water Resources Department. Their presence highlighted the importance of collaboration between academia, government, and technology providers in addressing complex urban and climate challenges.

Addressing the event, Prof. Amit Prashant, Dean (External Relations), IIT Gandhinagar, noted that the project has strong potential to serve cities and communities alike. He highlighted that the initiative received global appreciation following its successful implementation last year and that the focus now is on strengthening and scaling its impact further.
 
During the launch, the research team demonstrated how the ARC Centre combines physics-consistent modelling and AI to enable faster simulations, real-time flood prediction, and “what-if” scenario exploration. The decision-support tools deployed at the centre are powered by AIResQ ClimSols Pvt. Ltd., an IIT Gandhinagar-incubated deep-tech company, with support from teams associated with the AI Centre of Excellence (AICoE) – Sustainable Cities project and Airawat Foundation.
 
Speaking on the role of AI in addressing urban challenges, Mr. Amar Nath, CEO, Airawat Foundation, emphasized the need for AI-driven solutions for sustainable city development. He highlighted the foundation’s work in applying advanced technologies to areas such as air pollution monitoring, water management, and urban planning, with a strong focus on practical implementation and measurable impact.
 
Highlighting the central role of water in sustainable urban development, Prof. Udit Bhatia, Principal Investigator, Urban Flooding Module, AICoE – Sustainable Cities, IIT Gandhinagar, said that while cities face varied challenges, water remains a common thread across multiple Sustainable Development Goals. He stressed that both water scarcity and excess pose serious risks, with floods capable of bringing urban life and infrastructure to a standstill within short durations.
 
Dr. Vivek Kapadia, former Secretary, Government of Gujarat, and Professor of Practice at IIT Gandhinagar, underscored the need for structured, technology-driven decision-making. He emphasized that data-backed and scientifically sound approaches, supported by automation and advanced computational tools, can significantly improve governance efficiency and response time.
 
The ARC Centre has been developed through sustained translational research at the Machine Intelligence and Resilience (MIR) Lab, IIT Gandhinagar, with institutional support from the AI Centre of Excellence – Sustainable Cities, implemented by the Airawat Research Foundation. The centre views cities as interconnected systems where climate, infrastructure, mobility, and communities interact—enabling informed planning and response before, during, and after extreme events.
 
By enabling coordinated and anticipatory responses, the AI-powered ARC Centre is expected to contribute to safer cities, protect livelihoods, and support sustainable urban growth, while aligning with the broader national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

 

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