Wildfire Vulnerability Assessment of Indian Built Infrastructure in India

Implementing Partner: Build Change

Project name: Vulnerability Assessment of Built Infrastructure in India to Wildfires using Computational Modelling and Stochastic Analysis Framework

This project examines the impact of wildfires on critical infrastructure in India, including power lines and bridges.

Through advanced computer simulations, it analyzes structural responses to fire and identifies design enhancements to boost resilience.

The study aims to enhance public safety, minimise risks to essential systems, and strengthen disaster preparedness in wildfire-prone regions, empowering communities with the tools and knowledge necessary for more secure infrastructure planning in an era of escalating environmental challenges.

Increase in wildfire-prone
districts in India
0 %
Peak temperatures
during wildfires
0 °C

Impact and Key Findings

1

The project will develop clear visual charts that assess infrastructure vulnerability to wildfires, equipping engineers and planners to refine designs and prioritize upgrades in India’s high-risk regions, ultimately enhancing safety and resilience where it’s needed most.

2

This project advances wildfire preparedness by modelling fire behaviour, structural stress, and material heat response, guiding city planners in creating safer designs and fortifying infrastructure resilience in regions vulnerable to fire hazards.

3

The project will direct strategic investments toward fireproofing vital infrastructure, such as transmission lines, to safeguard uninterrupted operations during and after wildfires, enhancing service reliability and resilience in high-risk regions.

Resources

Aishwarya Pillai

Lead Specialist

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes. 

Alpana Saha

Director, Partnerships, Governance, and Resource Mobilisation 

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes.