Since its grand opening in January 2010, the Burj Khalifa has reigned as the world's tallest artificial structure, epitomizing the pinnacle of architectural ingenuity. Now, fifteen years on, the global stage is set to be captivated once more by an array of mega-engineering ventures currently underway, ranging from Saudi Arabia's ambitious Neom project to the monumental Chenab Rail Bridge in India.

Neom is taking shape in Saudi Arabia’s far northwest, stretching from the sun-scorched Red Sea coast into

craggy mountain badlands. We are talking about the epitome of desserts with summer temperatures over 100F and almost no fresh water. It is soon set to be home to millions of people who’ll live amidst a serene environment, relying on desalination plants and a fully renewable electric grid.

Things are happening quick and fast in India as well. An engineering marvel taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Chenab Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir (a part of the Udhampur Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link project) has started trials this week, marking the successful completion of what has been billed as the biggest civil-engineering challenge by any railway project in India’s recent history. Sanctioned in 2003 and contracted in 2008, amidst concerns regarding its safety and stability, the single-arch Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir has successfully cleared all requisite tests. It is poised to become a historic landmark in India's railroad chronicles. It is quite clear that the Indian engineering realm is making the most out of the make-in-India momentum. We dedicate this yearly special issue to engineers in India.