Aerial LiDAR survey to be done for proposed Delhi-Varanasi highway

Photo for representational purpose

National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited will be adopting Light Detection and Ranging Survey (LiDAR) technique using Laser enabled equipment mounted on a helicopter for conducting ground survey for the preparation of Detailed Project Report for the proposed Delhi-Varanasi HSR corridor.

The aerial LiDAR survey technique, for the first time for any railway project in India, was adopted for the Mumbai- Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor primarily because of its high accuracy. The ground survey using aerial LiDAR for MAHSR alignment was done only in 12 weeks against the 10-12 months if had been done through traditional survey methods.

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The alignment or ground survey is a crucial activity for any linear infrastructure project as the survey provides accurate details of areas around the alignment. This technique uses a combination of Laser data, GPS data, flight parameters and actual photographs to give accurate survey data. Based on the findings of the survey, designing of the vertical & horizontal alignment, structures, location of the stations and depots, Land requirement for the corridor, identification of project affected plots/structures, Right of Way etc are decided.

Keeping in mind the magnitude of the project and adhering to the timelines to submit the Detailed Project Report of DVHSR corridor, the ground survey using aerial LiDAR technique has already started.

Reference points on the ground have already been marked and data collection through equipment mounted on a helicopter will commence from 13th December 2020 (depending of the weather conditions) in a phased manner. The requisite permissions from the Ministry of Defence for flying the helicopter have been received and the inspection of the aircraft and equipment are underway.

The proposed Delhi-Varanasi HSR alignment covers mixed terrains including densely populated urban and rural areas, Highways, Roads, Ghats, Rivers, Green fields etc, which makes this activity more challenging.

NHSRCL has been entrusted with the work for preparing Detailed Project Report for the Delhi-Varanasi HSR Corridor by the Ministry of Railways. The tentative length of the corridor is about 800 km, the alignment and stations will be decided in consultation with the government.

"The first draft of the detailed project report for Delhi Varanasi High Speed Rail Corridor has been submitted to Ministry of Railways on 29th Oct 2020. The proposed plan for DVHSR Corridor will connect the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi with major cities like Mathura, Agra, Etawah, Lucknow, Raebareli, Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Varanasi and Ayodhya.

The main corridor from Delhi to Varanasi (Approx. 800 km) will also be connected to Ayodhya. The High Speed Rail (HSR) route will also connect the upcoming international airport at Jewar in Gautam Buddha Nagar District of Uttar Pradesh.

In order to finalize the final detailed project report, LiDAR survey is planned to be carried out on the proposed alignment," Sushma Gaur, spokesperson, NHSRCL. The proposed line will connect these cities.

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