NITK offers alternative to mobile network in coastal Karnataka for use in emergency

National Institute of Technology-Karnataka (NITK) Surathkal has established an emergency communications network using HAM radio in coastal parts of Karnataka to train students on how amateur radio can support basic communication needs in emergency situations.

The network was developed under a CSR-funded project titled ‘Enabling Multidisciplinary and Broader Radio Practices for Community Empowerment (EMBRACE)’. The project implemented at NITK combines disaster communications, technical training, and community outreach using an amateur, or HAM radio, wireless communications system that does not rely on mobile phone networks or internet connectivity.

According to project coordinators, this technology comes into play during floods, hurricanes or power outages when traditional communication systems are frequently disrupted.

As part of the project, a fully functional amateur radio facility was established at the NITK campus in Surathkal in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. The facility served as the central hub for training programs, demonstrations, simulated emergency drills, and coordination of outreach activities.

Nodal centers in schools, colleges

To expand the initiative beyond NITK, five HAM radio nodal centers have been set up in selected schools and colleges in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu and Uttara Kannada districts. According to the institute, these centers were operationalized through structured training of students and teachers supervised by licensed HAM radio operators.

Over time, the institutions began to operate as local learning and practice points for amateur radio and emergency communications.

HAM units in electric bikes and scooters

The project has also developed mobile HAM radio units that are mounted on electric bicycles and electric scooters. These mobile units were designed to explain how communications equipment could be transported to affected areas when regular infrastructure is not available. The units were used during training sessions and community demonstrations to explain last-mile communications capabilities in emergency situations.

The EMBRACE project was developed by Dr. Associate Professor in the Department of Water Resources and Ocean Engineering and Professor in Charge (Interdisciplinary R&D) at NITK. It was led by Pruthviraj Umesh and Dr. Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering and Principal Professor, Central Computing Centre. Mohit P. Tahiliani served as co-investigator.

Increasing girls’ participation

Prof. Umesh said the project makes a conscious effort to increase the participation of girls and young women. “Women-exclusive training sessions and targeted workshops were conducted to address the low representation of women in technical communication fields,” he said, adding that the aim was to encourage confidence, leadership and technical skill development among female students from the school level onwards.

Trilingual education

To improve accessibility, educational materials on amateur radio and disaster communication have been developed in Kannada, English and Hindi. These included video tutorials, printed learning materials, and basic laboratory simulation modules that allowed institutions to continue using the resources after the project period.