Dr. M.R. Chopra  

Dr. Chopra was born on the 18th August, 1906, at Lahore. He passed his Civil Engineering (Hon.) from Thomson College of Civil Engineering (Now Roorkee University), Rororkee, in 1929, with distinction. Joined the Indian Service of Engineers (Punjab Cadre) in 1930, and rose to the rank of General Manager, Bhakra Dam, in November 1958. After working in different capacities, especially in construction of Bhakra Dam for over 9 years, he was elevated to the post of Chairman, Central Water and Power Commission, Government of India in 1962 - the highest technical engineering post in the country in the field of irrigation and power - and was conferred the National Award of `Padma Bhushan` in 1967 for personal merit and commendable work on the design and construction of Bhakra Dam, and at the Centre. After retirement from Government service in 1966, he was appointed Vice-Chancellor, Roorkee University (1966-1971), and was given Doctorate of Engineering Honoria-Cause by the University. Worked as Assessor, Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal, Government of India. Was considered an expert on water resources planning and construction of big multi-purpose projects and, as such, remained a member of number of Consulting Boards of various major Irrigation and Power Projects in India. A Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (India), and a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He has widely travelled to USA and Europe on various assignments, and headed the Indian Delegation to the Eighth Congress of the International Commission on Large Dams held in United Kingdom in 1964. He was President of the CBI &P in the year 1963-64, and Vice President of the ICID from 1966-1969.