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Getting smarter with smart maps
Pre-Project Status The surveyors in the CMC used to update the information on bound volume consisting of a set of Smart maps. Due to the overuse, these maps have become soiled and brittle. Further, only the experienced surveyors can transcribe the information from these fragile maps. Nevertheless, they contain valuable information. The condition of maps created a lot of administrative problems related to taxation, hence income of the Corporation. It may be mentioned here that only the old part of Calcutta is covered by the Smart map which is roughly 60 % of the CMC area. For the remaining part, the Corporation has to depend on ‘Revised Settlement’ maps which are basically cadastral/mouza maps at 16"=1 mile. Calcutta Metropolitan Planning Organisation (CMPO) and later Calcutta Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) revised the maps of the areas which have attracted more attention and development. But these maps are for specific sectors and do not cover the areas according to the Smart maps. However, these maps can be used for the updating of the concerned areas as these maps are based on the original Smart maps. In addition, the Calcutta Municipal Corporation has computerized its land record data for taxation purposes. Hence, the data base in certain form is available which may not exactly match with the requirements of the objectives of this project. Expert Committees and Sub-Committees Many committees and sub-committees were formed to look into various aspects of the project as given in Table 1. Modus Operandi After having initial discussions on the possibility of working on this project, the question of funds required for this purpose became necessary, CMC and NATMO approached the Union Department of Science & Technology (DST) to share the financial burden. It was agreed that DST and CMC will equally share the cost. Accordingly, the tenders were floated and after studying technical and financial aspects, the Expert Committee appointed for this purpose, selected a Calcutta based company for this work. It was on a turnkey basis which included not only the jobs mentioned in the objective of this project, but also to supply hardware and appropriate software. An element of training of CMC staff was also necessary for handling and subsequently updating the data. Following three phases of the whole project were identified:
All the 856 Smart maps were not available in acceptable condition in the CMC. Hence, the Directorate of Land Records, Government of West Bengal was approached to provide the fresh copies the maps. These maps were used for filming and scanning. A quick method of having such copies was searched. Finally in the M/s B. B. Sigma, New Delhi such activity with a very efficient Swiss technology is being carried out. Here the same film is scanned for having the raster scanned file. The raster data is being supplied in CDs due to the large volume of data. Hence, a CD reader became necessary to be attached with the proposed system in CMC. An internal committee was appointed to work out the quality control (QC) checks for such raster files. Some of the Smart maps are still to be received. The procurement of the maps from various developmental agencies was difficult due to the formalities required for transferring the maps. Matter was brought to the notice of the highest authorities for this purpose. The information contained in these maps were matched with the CMC records as some of the maps were meant for developmental planning but the actual development is yet to be taken place. Hence, on one hand, there are old brittle maps; while on the other hand are the maps showing the planned layouts. The latter were not always on the same scale, i.e. 1: 600. In the beginning, the raster files were converted to vectors and latest changes were introduced based on the information available from various sources. But, in the areas having high density of information such eye estimation was not good. However, the planned layout could be scanned and brought to scale and fixed on the required place. The best solution was however to trace the new or additional or changed features and then to put it on the right place. This work is being done part by part by adjusting the information locally. An expert sub-committee was formed to check the digitized information. Following measures were considered for the QC checks:
This sub-committee is to submit report for each map. A proforma was developed for this purpose as well. Payments for this part of the job will be made based on the report submitted on this proforma.
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