The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has awarded a ₹240-crore contract to Genesys International Corporation Ltd for a fresh, city-wide Geographic Information System (GIS) survey, despite having spent crores on earlier mapping of civic networks.
The new exercise will create a detailed 3D digital map of Ahmedabad covering about 625 sq km, including 25 lakh properties, roads, water networks, drainage systems and other underground utilities. The move comes after gaps were identified in the earlier GIS database, particularly in the mapping of individual water and drainage lines.
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Why Is AMC Conducting GIS Mapping Again?
AMC already has GIS-based information for several civic services. However, sources cited in the report said the earlier survey was carried out when mapping every individual utility line was not mandatory.
The requirements have since changed. The new system will link water, sewerage and other infrastructure to precise geographical locations. A dedicated GIS cell is also required under World Bank-related requirements, prompting AMC to undertake a comprehensive fresh survey.
The project is also linked to changes in the corporation’s working process, with bill payments expected to be based on GIS-linked data.
25 Lakh Properties to Get Digital Identities
Around 25 lakh properties will be geo-coded in two phases. The first will cover nine lakh properties, followed by another 16 lakh.
The digital database will combine information on land, properties, water supply, drainage and rainwater disposal. It could also help AMC identify properties missing from assessment records, potentially widening its property tax base.
The survey will map the locations and depths of underground water, sewerage, and stormwater lines, as well as other cables and utilities. The data will be integrated with property tax, complaints, work orders, legal, audit, water and drainage systems.
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Drones, Survey Stations and Street-View Data
AMC plans to use drones and specialised surveying equipment. The project will include an elevation model and orthophoto of the city.
Forty primary and 200 secondary survey stations will be established. Specialised vans will scan road corridors and generate panoramic and street-view data.
The mapping is expected to take two and a half years, followed by five years of operation and maintenance.
The ₹240-crore project has renewed questions over AMC’s earlier GIS spending. The corporation had already invested in mapping water and drainage networks, but officials say the earlier work was based on less stringent requirements.
The immediate question is how much of the existing data can be reused in the new system rather than being surveyed again.
For Ahmedabad, the value of this project will ultimately depend less on the digital map itself and more on whether AMC can turn that data into better property records, faster civic works and more accountable infrastructure management.
Samarjit Kaur is a journalist and communications professional covering technology & emerging digital trends. With a focus on clarity and context, she reports on developments shaping industries and governance. When not reporting, she chooses to plug-in and relax on her playlists and plan her next bucket-list trips!
