Dr. Fenil Gandhi: Consultant & Independent Research at Bruhad Engineering & Design, India
Dr. Fenil R. Gandhi is a dedicated civil engineer, hydrologist, and researcher with a decade of experience in the fields of water resource engineering, hydrologic modeling, climate resilience, and infrastructure planning. With a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Water Resource Engineering) from Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Surat, he combines technical knowledge with real-world application in designing sustainable hydraulic structures and water management systems. His work bridges academic research and engineering consultancy, particularly in flood risk assessment, groundwater recharge, and smart irrigation solutions. As co-founder of Bruhad Engineering & Design, Dr. Gandhi leads projects that contribute to regional development, environmental sustainability, and climate adaptation, both in India and internationally.
Online Profiles
Since 2020, the author has accumulated a total of 49 citations, with 44 of those occurring after 2020. Their h-index stands at 5, indicating that at least five of their publications have received five or more citations. Additionally, their i10-index is 1, meaning one of their works has been cited at least ten times. These metrics reflect a growing academic impact in recent years.
Education
Dr. Gandhi earned his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Water Resource Engineering from SVNIT Surat (2018–2023), where he contributed to multiple interdisciplinary projects on groundwater sustainability and climate resilience. He holds an M.E. in Civil Engineering (Water Resources) from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (2013–2015), where his work included drought analysis and hydrological modeling. His academic foundation was laid through a B.E. in Civil Engineering from Gujarat Technological University (2009–2013), which initiated his interest in fluid mechanics, structural analysis, and applied hydraulics. His academic trajectory has consistently aligned with real-world problem-solving in water resource systems.
Research Focus
Dr. Gandhi’s research interests center on hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, integrated water resource management, groundwater recharge, and the impact of climate change on regional hydrology. His work includes the use of tools like HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, SWAT, and ArcGIS for surface runoff modeling, flood forecasting, and canal design. A significant part of his doctoral research focused on village-level groundwater management models under transdisciplinary frameworks involving stakeholders from India, Australia, and the USA. He is currently exploring IoT-enabled groundwater sensors, machine learning for rainfall prediction, and climate vulnerability mapping using GIS and AI. His research serves both academic and applied goals in sustainable development.
Experience
Dr. Gandhi brings a unique blend of academic, governmental, and consultancy experience. As Co-founder and Water Resources Engineer at Bruhad Engineering & Design, he has led several major infrastructure projects including canal lining near railway corridors, RCC drainage systems for airports, box culverts for defense and industrial zones, and flood protection works for urban rivers. At Facile Maven Pvt. Ltd., he oversaw impact studies for the proposed barrage on the River Tapi, addressing afflux, ponding levels, and urban water demand projections. His earlier roles include Assistant Professor at GIDC Degree Engineering College, where he taught hydrology and fluid mechanics, and Assistant Engineer in Gujarat’s Road & Building Department, managing bridges and roads. His versatile project history highlights his ability to connect policy, engineering design, and sustainable development.
Research Timeline & Activities
Dr. Gandhi’s research timeline reflects a steady evolution from local hydrological analysis to complex, multi-institutional studies on water sustainability. His early work focused on SCS-CN-based runoff estimation and drought indices like SPI and rainfall deciles. During his Ph.D., he engaged in collaborative research on community-based groundwater management through the MARVI project, developing methodologies that integrate hydrogeological, social, and economic data. He has undertaken consultancy assignments in hydraulic design verification, rainwater harvesting planning, and urban groundwater recharge systems. His recent research extends to predictive modeling using AI/ML, IoT sensor design, shoreline dynamics, and disaster risk reduction in South Asia. These activities span fieldwork, simulation, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Gandhi has received several honors recognizing his scholarly and professional contributions. Notably, he received the Best Researcher Award from Science Father, an international research recognition platform. He has earned permanent journal reviewer status for Current Agricultural Research Journal and continues to review for leading journals such as Water Resource Management, Earth Systems and Environment, and Journal of the Institution of Engineers (India). He has delivered invited talks and expert lectures at engineering institutions and conferences and has been a representative speaker at national and international platforms on drought prediction and groundwater potential mapping. His professional memberships include ASCE, Institute of Engineers (India), International Water Resource Association, and International Association of Hydrogeologists, reinforcing his engagement with global research and practice communities.
Top Noted Publication
One of Dr. Gandhi’s most cited and impactful publications is titled “An integrated approach for the application of GIS and Remote Sensing for prospective groundwater zones in Surat region, India”, published in Groundwater for Sustainable Development (2022). The paper presents a novel framework combining remote sensing data with fuzzy logic modeling in a GIS environment to identify groundwater potential zones. This work is notable for its methodological rigor and applicability to groundwater-scarce urban areas, offering a replicable model for integrated water planning. It stands as a key reference for policy-makers and researchers addressing groundwater stress in semi-arid regions.
Title: Groundwater potentiality deciphering and sensitivity study using remote sensing technique and fuzzy approach
Authors: FR Gandhi, JN Patel
Journal: Acta Geophysica, 70(1), 265–282
Citations: 13
Year: 2022
Highlights: Uses remote sensing and fuzzy logic to assess groundwater potential and perform sensitivity analysis.
Title: An integrated approach for the application of geographical information system and Remote Sensing for prospective groundwater zones in Surat region, India
Authors: FR Gandhi, JN Patel
Journal: Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 18, 100805
Citations: 9
Year: 2022
Highlights: Combines GIS and remote sensing techniques to identify suitable groundwater zones.
Title: A Study on Parking Needs at Intersections–Case of Surat TP Schemes
Authors: BV Bhatt, FR Gandhi
Journal: International Journal of Engineering Research, 3(7), 449–452
Citations: 8
Year: 2014
Highlights: Examines urban planning issues related to parking demand at intersections.
Title: Combined Standardized Precipitation Index and ANFIS Approach for Predicting Rainfall in the Tropical Savanna Region
Authors: FR Gandhi, JN Patel
Journal: Journal of Soft Computing in Civil Engineering, 6(3), 63–77
Citations: 7
Year: 2022
Highlights: Applies AI (ANFIS) and SPI for accurate rainfall prediction in tropical regions.
Title: Estimation of Surface Runoff for Sub-watershed of Rajkot District, Gujarat, India using SCS – Curve Number with Integrated Geo-Spatial Technique
Authors: DJNP Fenil Rajeshkumar Gandhi
Journal: International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology, 8(5), 33–41
Citations: 6
Year: 2019
Highlights: Uses the SCS-CN method and geospatial tools to estimate runoff in semi-arid regions.
Strength for the Best Researcher Award
1. Interdisciplinary and Impactful Research on Groundwater and Climate Resilience
Dr. Gandhi has consistently contributed to solving real-world water challenges through research in groundwater sustainability, climate change adaptation, and hydrologic modeling. His involvement in transdisciplinary projects like the MARVI initiative—which blends hydrogeology, social science, and stakeholder engagement—demonstrates his capacity to bridge scientific innovation with community-scale implementation.
2. Strong Research Output with Growing Academic Influence
With 49 citations (44 since 2020), an h-index of 5, and a notable publication record in reputed journals like Groundwater for Sustainable Development and Acta Geophysica, Dr. Gandhi’s academic influence is steadily rising. His use of AI, remote sensing, and GIS tools in water resource planning reflects a forward-thinking approach that is both technically rigorous and policy-relevant.
3. Proven Application of Research to Infrastructure Development
Dr. Gandhi translates academic knowledge into tangible outcomes, having led design and planning for critical water infrastructure such as canal linings, urban drainage systems, and flood protection structures. His consultancy roles in both public and private sectors showcase the practical applicability of his research—especially in urban and semi-arid settings vulnerable to water stress.
4. Recognition by Scientific Community and Leadership Roles
He is a permanent reviewer for peer-reviewed journals like Current Agricultural Research Journal, and regularly reviews for top-tier publications. His invited talks and international representation in forums on drought prediction and groundwater mapping affirm his leadership in the global water research community.
5. Integration of Emerging Technologies in Water Management
Dr. Gandhi is at the forefront of integrating IoT, machine learning, and AI into hydrological research. His current work on IoT-enabled groundwater sensors and AI-based rainfall prediction models positions him as a pioneer in smart water systems, aligning with global sustainability and digital transformation goals in water resource engineering.