PMC to use satellite to keep tabs on hawkers, illegal encroachments

After its personnel failing to check the menace of hawkers, encroachment and other such illegal activities, Pune Municipal Corporation has decided to get an eye in the sky, literally. The local body plans to use satellite Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) technology to take aerial photographs.

Following the survey of a particular area by using this technology, municipal officials will get aerial 3D images which will help them identify precise locations of encroachment, illegal tree cutting, road digging, etc. The pilot project will be implemented this week in Kondhwa-Wanawadi area. Bangalore based Genesys International Corporation Ltd is handling this assignment.

"This technology is useful for every department of civic body as it gives a clear idea about spaces and also condition of roads. Many countries are using this science. In India, we have used it for road and infrastructural projects. But this is the first time it will be employed in Pune. In the pilot project, we are going to cover 2-3 kms. We are not levying any charges for this," said Pritam Karvir, assistant manager (sales), Genesys.

In this technology, a customised vehicle will traverse through the targeted area. The vehicle will have special sensors and light detection system, which will transmit signals to the satellite. After this, pictures will be captured using GPS technology. "This is also useful in identifying road condition and illegal construction.

The road department can refer to the 3D images to decide which streets at which locations need repairs," said Karvir. "After studying results from pilot project, we will decide whether or not to implement this project. After getting intimation about action against them, hawkers remove their stalls temporarily. Through this technology we can find out the ground reality," said a senior PMC official.u00a0

Did you know?
LiDAR is a remote sensing technology that measures distance by illuminating a target with a laser and analysing the reflected light. Lidar is popularly known as a technology used to make high resolution maps, geomatics, archaeology, geography, geology, geomorphology, seismology, forestry, remote sensing, atmospheric physics, airborne laser swath mapping (ALSM), laser altimetry, and contour mapping.