DSSDI project to be implemented by Feb 2009: Sibal

New Delhi, Nov 30 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal today promised that the national capital will get Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure(DSSDI) project by February 2009, which will not only facilitate detection of illegal constructions but will also enable monitoring of any changes being made in respect of land and buildings on a real time basis.

Speaking at the launch of the DSSDI project which involves the Survey of India and the Delhi Government, Mr Sibal said,'' In a globalised world, we need to change the way we think. A year ago, we started this project in view of a large number of unauthorised constructions in the capital, and today I make a commitment that by February 2009 we will be ready with this three-dimensional project, which will put a stop to all illegal constructions.'' ''We started with a pilot project in the Chandni Chowk area. We did satellite imaging, aerial photography and ground videographing of the area and collected data from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi about each house and its inhabitants of the area. Once we are through with this project and then if there is any unauthorised construction, power pilfering, leakage in the water system and traffic congestion, we will immediately get to know through the technology of the project,'' he elaborated.

Mr Sibal said,'' If the pilot project is successful in the Chandni Chowk area, then it will surely be successful in the entire national capital too. And if it is successful in Delhi, then I am sure that the project will be successfully implemented in the rest of the country. You cannot grow unless you use technology as a tool to grow. And I am happy that the project will be completed way ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2010.'' '' We have started with Delhi but we are also in touch with the Chief Ministers of other states and if they express their willingness, we will definitely implement the project in their states too. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has already expressed his keenness about it and let us see how things turn out,'' he informed.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who was also present on the occasion, said,'' Mr Sibal and I had been dreaming about this project for the last two years. It is a great step forward. This was needed in view of ad hocism and multiplicity of authorities in the capital. There are so many authorities and agencies involved in the affairs, especially relating to properties, of the capital, this project will integrate everything and will also help bring corruption down.'' ''The project will come in handy to the common man of the capital, who feels harassed by the multiplicity of authorities and agencies. But after the implementation of the project, he will feel much more confident and know where to go for what and whom to contact in matters relating to properties and others,'' Ms Dikshit explained.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna said: ''This project is a boon in terms of future planning and in terms of avoiding wasteful planning. We want Delhi to become a global city and in these times it is essential to have technology-based management efficiency. The project will be a depository of all property records. Once the project comes into effect, a lot of property disputes and wranglings will be done away.'' The project comprises two major components -- Land Information System(LIS) of the National Capital Territory and Urban Spatial Information System(USIS). The LIS will have up-to-date cadastral information and the USIS will meet the spatial data or information requirements of urban planning for routine functioning of the line departement of Delhi.

The innovative technologies developed for the project will also be used for disaster management, traffic management, security of important buildings and other valuable infrastructural assets in the capital.

The Survey of India and the Delhi government will also launch special purpose vehicles geo-spatial Delhi, which will be authorised to keep the records of the land-holding ownership, land use and others.

UNI