Annual Report 2001 - 2002

Scientific Services

Survey of India

Survey of India, the Surveying and Mapping Organisation of Govt. of India bears a special responsibility to ensure that the country's domain is explored and mapped suitably to provide vast variety of maps for expeditious and integrated development, security and prosperity of the country now and for generations to come. Besides, it has also been carrying out Geodetic & Geophysical Surveys and allied research work in the areas of tidal; gravity, geomagnetic and project surveys for tunnel alignment, crystal movement and dam deformation studies etc. Some of the significant activities during the period under report are as under:

Technology Development Projects

• Collection of tidal data and maintenance of modem tide gauges commissioned under DST and DOD assisted programmes is continued.
  
• The proposal of Survey of India for introduction of dual series of maps has been accepted. As per the proposal a new series of maps on WGS-84 datum is to be brought out and maps thus prepared in analogue and digital form will be free from the restriction and would be freely available to all users.
  
• A Task Force chaired by the Surveyor General of India has released a Vision and Strategy document on the establishment of National Spatial Data Infrastructure. The document has been endorsed by all present in the International Workshop on NSDI held in New Delhi in Feb 2001. Survey of India with other sister organisations plans to assume the leadership role
  
  

Basic Research Projects

Geodetic and Geophysical

• Data generation and its processing for redefinition of Indian Geodetic Datum.
  
• Adjustment of Second Level Net of India to refine vertical Datum
  
• Geodetic and Geophysical (including repetitive) measurements using Global Positioning System and other sophisticated instrumentation for the study of seismicity and seismotectonics in earthquake prone area and analysis of results.

Oceanographic Work

• Analysis of Tidal Data for updating the Tidal Constituents for using these for improvement in prediction of Tides.
  
• Maintenance of National Tidal Data Centre and receiving/ processing of tidal data of various ports is continued.

Technologies Transferred

• Indigenous production of Photo opaque as an import substitute item for touching of film negatives is continued for supply to various Survey of India Directorates/ Reproduction units.
  The production of touch-up fluid again an import substitute item, required to correct scribed originals is continued in R&D directorate for using within the department

Technology Demonstration Projects Undertaken in the area of Socio-Economic Development

District Planning Map Series

A project on preparation of district planning maps containing thematic information is continued. Under this prograrnme maps of 152 districts have so far been printed by Survey of India. 41 maps are under printing and 63 maps are in process at various stages. Districts planning maps for remaining half of the districts are being processed by National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO).These maps are being utilised by the Government, non-government organisations and private agencies in various development programmes.

Geodetic and Geophysical surveys

• Geodetic surveys for monitoring of tunnel alignment and other structures such as Dam, Power House Complex etc. for Tala Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan are in progress.
  
• Gravity and Geomagnetic observations across the country for various scientific studies are continued. During the year, the Geodetic and Research Branch (G&RB) is committed to carry out the following tasks as departmental commitment.

GPS Observations -120 stations
Precision Levelling -2400 lin km.
EDM Traverse -105 lin km.
Gravity Observation -200 stations
Geomagnetic Observations -32 repeat and 45 profile stations

Topographical activities

During the period under report the following tasks are committed for topographical mapping and related activities:

• Control Work

  Topo Triangulation      11,400 sq. km.
  Aerial Triangulation     46,500 sq. km.
  Traverse                    3,900 lin. km.
  Levelling                    9,800 lim.km.

• Surveys

  Photogrammetric Surveys on various scales            78,500 sq.km.
  Ground Surveys on various scales                          89,900 sq.km.
  Verification Survey on 1:250,000 scale for               4,36,000 sq.km.
  Compilation of IAF Maps and Charts

• Fair Mapping

  IAF                       1,50,46,000 sq.km.
  Topographical        2,58,000 sq.km.

• Printing

  Departmental                                  35 sheets
  District Planning Map Series              11 maps
  Extra Departmental                          241 sheets

Research Highlights

Repetitive Geodetic & Geophysical Surveys viz. GPS observations, Gravimetric observations and Geomagnetic observations were continued for crustal movement studies in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Latur area of Maharashtra to generate data and analyse results for the study of seismicity and scismotectonic activities in earth-quake prone areas. GPS, High Precision Levelling, Gravimetric and Geomagnetic measurements have also been carried out in earthquake effected area of Gujarat for post earthquake studies.

Digital Mapping Centres have developed several application softwares to create DCDBs for value added digital products.

A team of two officers from Survey of India participated in the 20th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica. The team carded out verification and revision of map of Maitri and surrounding area on 1:5,000 scale and densification of network of control points in the south of the area surveyed during 19th expedition. The team also carried out rigorous detail survey with one metre vertical interval on,1,:1000 scale in the proposed area west of Indian Station Maitri.

Two officers from Survey of India are participating in the 21st Antarctica Expedition.

Any Other Information of Interest

• International Boundaries

Demarcation, Relocation and Construction of boundary pillars and preparation of Strip-Maps of Indo-Bangladesh, Indo-Myanmar, Indo-Nepal and Indo-Pakistan boundaries remained in progress during the year.

• Topographical Surveys

Surveys on 1:25 K scale are being taken up on selective basis according to the priorities indicated by the Central/ State Governments and other user communities.

Most of the maps on the primary scale of 1:50,K covering the entire country have been printed. Revision surveys for updating these maps is in progress.

Maps on 1:250 K scale covering the entire country have been published and updation of maps is in progress.

Compilation of various Geographical maps, State maps, Guide maps etc. are being continuously carried out. Also surveys and mapping pertaining to various developmental schemes and projects of national importance are being executed.

• Digital Cartography

Digitization of 363 maps out of 394 maps on 1:250 K scale has been completed. Digitisation of 298 maps on 1:50 K and 175 maps on 1:25 K scale has also been completed till date.

• Printing and Publication

Other than the regular publication of the topographical maps on various scales and Geographical maps etc. the following publications were also brought out:

Magnetic Bulletin of Sabhawala Magnetic Observatory
Indian Tide Tables - 2001.
Hugli River Tide Tables - 2001.
THB Chapter X- Map Reproduction (Eighth Edn.) Bilingual.

• Human Resource Development and Training

Various courses connected with surveying and mapping, digital cartography and special course on GPS Technology were continued at the Survey Training Institute, Hyderabad. Officers/ trainees from the department, other govt/ non govt. organisations and foreign nationals are undergoing training in the Survey Training Institute.

A team of 3 officers visited Belgium during April 2001 for 3 weeks training in hardware/ software in connection with Barco Map Publishing System already procured by Survey of India.

A team of 4 officers visited Heidelberg, Germany in March 2001 for on job training for one week in connection with 5 colour Heidelberg Printing Machine already procured by Survey of India.