He was promoted as Executive Engineer, Tapi Division, Central Water Commission (CWC), Surat on 30th January 1984 and worked for Hydrometeorological Data Collection and Flood Forecasting for Narmada, Tapi and Daman Ganga Basin. In the year 1990 he was sent for six months training for development of Computerised mathematical Flood Forecast Model using Mike-11 Software developed by Danish Hydraulic Institute, Denmark. After completion of training he was entrusted with the work of developing computerized forecasting model for Godavari Basin with added responsibility as Executive Engineer, Upper Godavari Division, Hyderabad from 24th September 1990 to 25th May 1993.

On 26th May 1993 he was given responsibility of Specialist (Hydrology) on deputation in Narmada Control Authority (NCA), Indore. During the tenure in NCA from 26th May 1993 to 3rd June 1999, his main contribution was for installation of Two way Real Time Data Acquisition System in Narmada Basin using satellite communication system which was first of its kind in India.

He joined Sardar Sarovar Construction Advisory Committee (SSCAC) on 4th June 1999 as Dy. Secretary (Director) and worked up to 25th September 2003. During this period the stalemate in raising the dam height of SSP above 105 m was resolved.

On 20th September 2003 he was selected as Chief Engineer (HQ), National Water Development Agency (NWDA), New Delhi and given the responsibility of the most prestigious project of Govt. of India i.e. Interlinking River Project. Due to his efforts a Historic MOU signed between Union Govt., Govt. of MP and Govt. of UP for first ILR Project i.e. KEN-BETWA on 25th August, 2005 in the presence of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Manmohan Singh. Shri Bhandari was one of the signatory from Central Govt. in this MOU for water sharing. He worked in NWDA up to March 2009.

On his promotion to the post of Chief Engineer, CWC, he has taken over the post of Secretary, SSCAC from 3rd August 2009(FN)