Aerial LiDAR survey for DPR of East Coast Corridor between Vijaywada, Kharagpur

Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) 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 1115 km East Coast Dedicated Freight Corridor. This corridor will originate in Kharagpur in the state of West Bengal and traverse through Odisha and terminate in Vijayawada (Tenali) in Andhra Pradesh. It will connect cities/towns like Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Khordha, Bhubaneswar, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam, Nellore, and Vijayawada.

During the Aerial LiDAR survey, 300 metres of area around the proposed alignment is being captured for the survey purpose. After the collection of data, Three Dimensional (3D) Topographical map of the proposed corridor’s alignment on a scale of 1:2500 will be available for designing of the vertical and horizontal alignment, structures, location of the stations and depots, land requirement for the corridor, identification of project affected plots/structures, Right of Way etc.

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. LiDAR survey provides all the ground details and data in 2-3 months against the 10-12 months if had been done through traditional survey methods. 

Keeping in mind, the magnitude of the project and adhering to the timelines to submit the Detailed Project Report of DFC corridor, reference points on the ground have already been marked and data collection through equipment mounted on a Helicopter will commence from start of upcoming week (depending on the weather conditions) in a phased manner. The requisite permissions from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Ministry of Defence for flying the Helicopter have been received and the inspection of the aircraft and equipment are underway. 

Aarvee Associates (Consultant) has been entrusted to prepare the Detailed Project Reports for three DFC corridors, and LiDAR survey for other two corridors shall commence shortly.