The Brihanmumbai Mumbai Municipal Corporation [BMC] has finally invited tenders from private parties for carrying out digital surveys to map the various underground utilities in the city. Beneath us, there lie sinewy networks of at least 33 utilities.
Digital images of those will be compiled on the basis of information collected by the geographical information system [GIS] surveys. Then, these images would be juxtaposed on the city’s base map.
The base map, which provides 3D images and low-angle photographs of the structures on the surface, has already beenprepared by the National Informatics Centre [NIC]. The map was handed over to the BMC last year. The civic body will now undertake the process of integrating the underground images, update the contents of the map, and super impose the images on the city’s developmental plans.
The BMC survey will mainly involve collecting information about civic-controlled utilities, such as water, sewerage networks and storm water drain lines. But in the process, the other utilities under the ground too will get automatically recorded, an official said.
How will this underground mapping help? It will give accurate locations, along with spatial data and in-depth details, of the various underground utilities.
The data will be compiled using a host of sources, including the government database, field surveys, and global positioning system [GPS] devices. It will be digitally analysed, and converted into images. The integrated GIS maps will be used as reference while charting out developmental projects.
Elaborating more, an official, said, “Today, when an underground water pipeline bursts, we often end up digging at several places. Standing on the ground, we cannot pinpoint its location underneath it. A GIS map of that area will show the pipeline’s exact location, making repair work faster and better.”
He added that the maps will also prevent damages to underground utilities during road-digging activities. Another official said that the new maps will facilitate the rehabilitation of underground utilities.
The process of collating information and preparing the digital maps is expected to take two years. The BMC has appointed NIIT GIS Ltd as system integrator for the project.
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