As civic bodies in the capital stepped up their disaster management preparedness in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquake, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is mulling over three-dimensional digital mapping of its jurisdiction areas, which will help in rescue operations.
“This will work as a very good management and planning tool for disaster management. In case of an emergency, this will help in carrying out rescue operations. We are finding out ways in which these maps can also include building structures so that one can have details of dimensions of each floor, the number of fire exits, etc. This will provide crucial information when rescue operations are being carried out,” a senior NDMC official said.
Earlier this week, the council had put in place a slew of disaster management measures – from 24X7 control rooms, teams of NDMC officials with gas cutters and other equipment to carry out rescue operation, had been carrying inspection checks in the area.
Even though the 3D mapping project was announced during the NDMC’s annual budget session last month, the civic body is currently identifying the manner in which it could be executed. “We are trying to check if a private firm can be hired for implementing the project. Everything is going to be mapped – from water and sewer lines to trees in this area,” the official added.
“We are in the process of receiving information about all strategic buildings that need to be mapped in detail, the kind of services which will be included on these maps. We are also looking at the existing analog maps for the areas,” the official further said.
As per the NDMC’s plan, an integrate three-dimensional digital mapping will take place across government agencies for infrastructure, transportation and green plans. “This will also include redevelopment plans as well as Digital Elevation Models and typology,” the NDMC official said.