“Er. Vijay Kumar Amar: A Legacy of Excellence in Civil Engineering, Infrastructure Development, and Global Expertise”
Er. Vijay Kumar Amar, born in 1949, is a distinguished civil engineer with a remarkable career spanning several decades. He completed his Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Civil Engineering from NIT Bhopal in 1970, followed by a Master of Technology (M.Tech) in Foundation Engineering from MANIT Bhopal in 1983. He began his professional journey as an Assistant Engineer in the Irrigation Department of Gujarat immediately after graduation. In 1971, he joined the Public Works Department (PWD) of the Government of Madhya Pradesh, where he played a significant role in a wide range of infrastructure projects, including highway construction, major building construction, bridges, and tunnels across the state.
His expertise in civil engineering and his dedication to quality work earned him recognition and multiple accolades throughout his career. Throughout his tenure, he was awarded two prestigious gold medals for his outstanding performance. The first was presented by the President of India in 1998, and the second was awarded by the President of Sri Lanka in 2006. These awards reflect his exceptional contributions to the field of civil engineering and his commitment to excellence. He retired in 2009 as the Chief Engineer of the Madhya Pradesh PWD. During his service, he was involved in numerous major projects in Bhopal, the state capital, and contributed significantly to the development of highways, government buildings, and other key infrastructure in the city. His work during this time is credited with shaping the city’s urban landscape, with nearly two-thirds of its highways and government buildings being constructed under his leadership.
After retirement, he founded his own consultancy firm, Nirmann Consultants, and later Mangal-Nirmaan Safety Consultants. In his consultancy roles, he played a crucial part in several important projects, including the redevelopment plan for South T T Nagar, which was ultimately adopted by the Smart City of Bhopal. He also conducted a safety audit of Asia’s longest tunnels, including the Chenani Nasiri and Benuhal Tunnels in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the controversial Silkiriya-Barkot Tunnel in Uttarakhand, where laborers had been locked in. In addition to his work as a consultant, he is a respected arbitrator in the country, known for resolving disputes between contractors and government bodies across various states. His expertise and fair approach to conflict resolution have earned him a reputation as a trusted figure in the construction industry. His career also includes several prestigious international deputations.
In 1983, he was sent on deputation to the United Nations, where he visited the United States, Brazil, and Mexico. During this time, he also pursued an MS in Advanced Highway Technology from the University of Missouri-Rolla. In 1988, he was once again sent on deputation, this time to the UK under a British Council assignment, which also included visits to France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, and Austria. During this period, he completed another MS in Planning from University College London. In 2006-2007, he was selected for a deputation to several Southeast Asian countries by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
He visited Hong Kong, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore as part of this study program. More recently, in 2021, he further expanded his expertise by completing an MBA in Construction Management, followed by an LLB in 2023. With a career marked by leadership, technical expertise, and a global perspective, he remains a highly respected figure in the field of civil engineering and construction, leaving a lasting impact on both the industry and the communities he has served.
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