How Gurgaon escaped chaos on manic Monday

GURGAON: With the help of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology, an advanced topographic camera fitted on a drone, Municipal Corporation Gurgaon was able to assist the Gurgaon Police in ensuring that Monday’s rainfall did not lead to a repeat of July 28, when the city witnessed a traffic gridlock failure for over 48 hours.

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As per sources, the MCG used LiDAR cameras to delineate drainage system across the city between 5pm to 7.30pm on Monday. MCG currently has five LiDAR cameras on trial basis and they were used for the first time on Sunday to survey a locality.

LiDAR is a technology that surveys and measures distance by illuminating a target with a laser light. It has a higher advantage over other topographic data systems as it can cover terrains during the day and night, its rays have a higher penetration that can cover terrains in thick forests and water bodies.

The survey covered stretches on Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway on NH8, Delhi-Jaipur Expressway and Golf course road. MCG engineers were able to identify clogged drains and blocked sewer networks after reviewing the map contours.

Based on the information, 27 super-suction water pumps were deployed at key stretches to reduce water-logging and accordingly, MCG’s truck-mounted cranes were also deployed at sites susceptible to acute water-logging to ensure traffic flow remained unhampered and encroachments were removed.

Sources revealed that upon reviewing of the map it was found that Badshahpur drain was receiving large amount of sewage flow from areas adjoining Golf Course and Golf Course Extension road leading to overflow of the drain.

Each advanced LiDAR camera costs around ` 40 lakh.