- New ‘AI Resilience and Command’ hub marks a decisive shift from disaster response to anticipatory urban intelligence
- Physics-consistent AI models to deliver real-time flood forecasting, scenario simulations and decision support
- ARC Centre integrates climate, mobility and infrastructure into a single command framework for cities
- IITGN-incubated deep-tech, government leadership and academia converge for climate-ready urban systems
- Initiative aligns with Viksit Bharat 2047 vision by translating data into safer, smarter cities
NE ENVIRONMENT BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, FEB 8
As Indian cities confront intensifying floods, climate extremes and rising infrastructure stress, the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) has launched the AI Resilience and Command (ARC) Centre, a pioneering initiative designed to transform how urban India anticipates, manages and recovers from climate risks.
Inaugurated on February 05, 2026, and housed at the IIT Gandhinagar Research Park, the ARC Centre represents a decisive shift—from reactive disaster response to anticipatory, data-driven climate-risk management. Built around the idea of connecting “Rain to Resilience,” the Centre integrates flood forecasting, mobility impacts and operational decision-making within a single physics-guided artificial intelligence framework.
From Data to Decisions: A New Urban Command Paradigm
By combining scientific rigour with real-time intelligence, the ARC Centre enables faster simulations, real-time flood assessments and actionable scenario analysis for complex urban systems. The integrated approach is expected to significantly reduce response times during extreme events, minimise infrastructure and mobility disruptions, and enable better-informed planning decisions.
Over time, this translates into safer cities, reduced economic losses, improved protection for vulnerable communities and a higher quality of urban life, closely aligned with India’s long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Global Validation and Local Impact
Speaking at the launch, Prof Amit Prashant, Dean, External Relations, IIT Gandhinagar, underscored the broader impact of the initiative, saying: “The project has strong potential to serve cities as well as the communities living in them. It received global appreciation following its successful implementation last year, reflecting its relevance and impact. With continued guidance and collaboration, the focus now is on strengthening the initiative further and making it even more effective.”
Live demonstrations during the event showcased how the ARC Centre leverages physics-consistent modelling and artificial intelligence to deliver real-time flood assessment, scenario analysis and decision support. These demonstrations were supported by teams from the AI Centre of Excellence (AICoE) – Sustainable Cities project and AIResQ ClimSols Pvt. Ltd.
Deep-Tech at the Core
At the heart of the ARC Centre are advanced decision-support tools developed by AIResQ ClimSols Pvt. Ltd., an IIT Gandhinagar–incubated deep-tech company. These tools enable rapid simulations, dynamic ‘what-if’ explorations and real-time flood predictions—while maintaining the scientific credibility essential for public decision-making and governance.
Why Water Lies at the Centre of Urban Resilience
Discussions at the launch repeatedly returned to the central role of water in shaping urban resilience. Prof Udit Bhatia, Principal Investigator, Urban Flooding Module, AICoE – Sustainable Cities, IIT Gandhinagar, noted: “If we truly want to make a difference at scale, we must start with water. While ensuring clean and equitable access is critical, cities are equally vulnerable to floods caused by excess water in very short durations, which can bring infrastructure and urban life to a standstill.”
He further emphasised the real promise of artificial intelligence, adding: “While the global AI revolution driven by generative AI has made remarkable advances, its true value will be realised only when it delivers measurable improvements in quality of life. In cities, this means addressing real and interconnected challenges such as urban flooding, mobility disruption, and infrastructure resilience rather than deploying isolated technologies.”
Highlighting the gap between technological capability and adoption, Prof Bhatia observed: “We are sitting at the cusp of powerful technologies, yet the question is why these tools are not embedded into city planning, transportation systems, roads, and infrastructure projects.”
He explained that the ARC Centre focuses on translating risk into actionable insights, enabling authorities to prioritise resources and respond more effectively to urban hazards.
Governance Lens: From Ad Hoc to Evidence-Based Decisions
Bringing an administrative perspective, Dr Vivek Kapadia, former Secretary to the Government of Gujarat and Professor of Practice, stressed the need for structured decision-making, saying: “We need to move towards data-backed and structurally sound decision-making instead of relying on ad hoc approaches. With the use of advanced computational tools and automation, processes that earlier took months can now be completed much faster.”
He added: “This is not just an ambition; it is a collective dream—to build systems that are robust, inclusive, and capable of supporting better governance and development.”
A Collaborative Model for Climate-Ready Cities
Developed through sustained translational research at the Machine Intelligence and Resilience (MIR) Lab and institutionally supported by the AI Centre of Excellence – Sustainable Cities, implemented by the Airawat Research Foundation, the ARC Centre views cities as interconnected systems where climate, infrastructure, mobility and communities interact dynamically.
The inaugural ceremony witnessed participation from senior government officials, including Dr Sangeeta Singh, Vigilance Commissioner of Gujarat; P. C. Vyas, Secretary, Water Resources Department; P. R. Patelia, Secretary, Roads and Buildings Department; and M. D. Patel, Special Secretary, Water Resources Department, who joined the lamp-lighting ceremony and shared reflections on governance and urban resilience.
The event brought together policymakers, practitioners and academia. Amar Nath, CEO, Airawat Foundation, attended the launch alongside IITGN faculty, researchers, students and senior officials.
Highlighting the role of technology, Amar Nath said: “India’s cities are facing complex challenges related to water, air quality, infrastructure, and space management. We strongly believe that artificial intelligence can play a transformative role in developing practical, ground-level solutions for sustainable cities.”
He added that the Foundation works closely with researchers, industry partners and global institutions to ensure innovation translates into measurable on-ground impact.
A Next-Generation Urban Resilience Hub
By bringing research, governance and industry into a shared operational space, the ARC Centre is envisioned as a next-generation hub for urban resilience, real-time flood intelligence and climate-ready decision support, strengthening India’s preparedness for a more uncertain climate future.
