Drones to help make Mumbai Metro stations models

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will use unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, for mapping purposes in aligning and making 3D models of the proposed Metro stations and Metro corridors in the city. Initially, this technology will be made available for construction of three Metro corridors in the city.

Pravin Darade, additional metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA, said, “The usage of drones will help us in preparing 3D models of the proposed metro stations and will also help us identifying the practical problems that might arise when the construction on the metro project will start on both these routes.” Initially, this technology will be made available for construction of two Metro corridors namely DN Nagar, Mankhurd Metro-2B and Wadala-Thane Metro-4 corridors. Both the projects have got approval from the Cabinet and tenders for both the projects is likely to be floated in the next few months.

The usage of drones will be made for carrying out a detailed survey, demarcation and measurement and georeferencing of the area concerned along with taking aerial photograph and videography and creating preparing maps, said the tender document floated by MMRDA. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to visit the city at MMRDA grounds at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in December for the bhoomipujan of both the projects,” said an MMRDA official.

The DN Nagar-Mankhurd Metro corridor is a part of the Metro 2 (Dahisar-Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd), which was earlier planned underground, but was later turned into an elevated corridor.  The line was also divided into three parts, namely Dahisar-DN Nagar, DN Nagar-BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex) and BKC-Mankhurd.

Prior to this, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the implementing agency of the proposed Mumbai-Nagpur Super Expressway, also made use of drones for mapping of alignment of the complete 710-km-long Super Expressway.