Professor Madhavi Lata’s journey is a story of grit, resilience and scientific brilliance. Hailing from Yedugundlapadu, a small village in Andhra Pradesh, she once sold her old notebooks for 40 paise to buy kerosene during her childhood. Despite financial hardship, she pursued engineering, becoming the first engineer from her village.
Lata’s academic path included a B.Tech in civil engineering, followed by an M.Tech and PhD from premier institutions, leading to her becoming Assistant Professor and later a senior faculty member at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, including being the first woman in IISc’s civil-engineering department.
Her most notable professional contribution was as the geotechnical consultant on the Chenab Railway Bridge, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link. This bridge, 359 metres above the Chenab River, taller than the Eiffel Tower, is now recognised as the world’s highest railway bridge. Lata played a critical role in stabilising Himalayan slopes, designing foundations, and ensuring seismic safety over nearly two decades.Honoured as NDTV’s Indian Science Icon of the Year, Lata dedicated the award to the broader team of engineers and to Indian Railways. She continues to lead research, teach, and advocate for confidence, persistence and speaking up, especially encouraging young women to pursue science and engineering.
