Delhi-Varanasi High-Speed Corridor: Laser Technique Adopted For Ground Survey

Delhi-Varanasi High-Speed rail corridor: In order to conduct the ground survey for preparing the detailed project report (DPR) of the proposed Delhi-Varanasi high-speed rail corridor, light detection and ranging survey (LiDAR) technique using laser enabled equipment mounted on a helicopter will be adopted, said the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL). The aerial LiDAR survey technique was adopted for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor due to its high accuracy, which was the very first time when this method was used for any railway project in the country. The data provided through the LiDAR technology can be useful for several projects including surface transport, roads, irrigation, landslides, canals, city planning, etc. (Also Read: Bullet Train Project: Tender Invited For Delhi-Amritsar High-Speed Rail Corridor )

NHSRCL is entrusted with the responsibility for the implementation, development, and maintenance of the upcoming high-speed rail corridor by the Ministry of Railways. It is responsible for preparing the detailed project report for the Delhi-Varanasi high-speed rail corridor.
 

According to NHSRCL, the alignment or ground survey is a crucial activity for any linear infrastructure project as the survey provides accurate details of the areas around the alignment. The technique uses a combination of laser data, GPS data, flight parameters as well as actual photographs to provide survey data. Based on the findings of the survey, the following aspects of the project are decided:

• Designing of the vertical and horizontal alignment
• Location of the stations and depots
• Land requirement for the corridor
• Identification of the project affected plots/structures

The ground survey using aerial LiDAR for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor alignment was done only in 12 weeks against the 10-12 months if it had been done through the traditional survey methods.

Delhi-Varanasi High-Speed rail corridor - top features:

• The alignment of the proposed Delhi-Varanasi high-speed rail corridor covers mixed terrains, including densely populated urban and rural areas, roads, highways, rivers, ghats, as well as green fields.
• The corridor's tentative length is around 800 kilometres and the alignment, and stations of this corridor will be decided in consultation with the government.
• An NHSRCL official said that the Delhi-Varanasi high-speed rail corridor will connect the national capital territory of Delhi with major cities such as Mathura, Agra Lucknow, Prayagraj, Etawah, Varanasi, Raebareli, Bhadohi, and Ayodhya.
• The Delhi-Varanasi main high-speed corridor will be linked to the city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh and the route will connect the upcoming Jewar International Airport.

Delhi-Varanasi High-Speed rail corridor- current project status:

The ground survey on this project using the aerial LiDAR technique has already started with the reference points on the ground marked. From December 13, the collection of data through equipment mounted on a helicopter will commence in a phased manner, depending on the weather conditions. 

Also Read: Bullet Train Project: Agreement Signed With L&T For India's Biggest Infrastructure Contract

​Meanwhile, the prioritized bullet train corridor project is the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, which will reduce the travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to just three hours, once completely operational. This will be the first bullet train in the country and will be 508-km long.

Recently, the NHSRCL signed a contract agreement with the infrastructure major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the design and construction of the 237 km long viaduct for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project. It is slated as the country's biggest infrastructure contract for design and construction.