Lack of ‘tall buildings’ slows down govt’s 3D data project

Lack of government-owned high-rise buildings in the Capital has slowed down Delhi government’s ambitious 3D GIS Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure project, reports Neelam Pandey.

Lack of government-owned high-rise buildings in the Capital has slowed down Delhi government’s ambitious 3D GIS Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure project.

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The cameras, which constitute an essential part of the plan, are supposed to provide real-time data. This data can be utilised for several pur-poses such as managing disasters, checking encroachment and unauthorised construction activities.

The information technology department, which is in charge of the project, was asked to install 63 cameras in such buildings. So far, it has been able to install only 10 cameras due to the absence of ‘tall buildings’ and other vantage points where the cameras can be put up without being targeted by miscreants.

So far, cameras have been installed at the Civic Centre, the tallest building in the city, and Vikas Bhawan II, the headquarters of the New Delhi Municipal Council among other buildings.

Officials said the cameras have to be installed at a certain height for optimal utilisation. But the lack of tall government buildings has resulted in a search for alternatives.

“There are certain factors that need to be taken into account. For instance, these cameras weigh at least 25kg. So, not everyone is willing to allow us to install them. Also, keeping the security angle in mind, we can’t install them at just any building. The matter is being discussed with private developers,” said a senior Delhi government official.

“The main aim of the project is to monitor encroachments and detect unauthorised construction. For instance, there is an in-built change detection software sensitive to any changes in the landscape. So if a building adds another floor, it will be reflected in the system. This will help keep a check on illegal construction,” added the official.

Data on all infrastructure assets — underground and above the ground — such as power lines, water pipes, and telephone lines will be collected through 3D images and shared through a common and integrated GIS.