Gurugram: Soon, ground radar to scan utilities before infrastructure work

GURUGRAM: The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) soon plans to use gadgets to scan underground utilities before carrying out infrastructure work in the city. Next week, the authority will be in possession of a ground penetrating radar (GPR) machine, TOI has learnt.
According to officials, the authority has been discussing the procurement of such a device for over a year now, with a proposal for the same being first approved in September last year.
“There were some delays in procurement because we had to float the tender for the work multiple times. It was initially floated in February but the number of bidders was very low. Hence, the tender was re-floated and work has now been allotted,” said a senior GMDA official privy to the matter.
“We expect to get the machine by December 6 or 7, after which around another week will be needed to train the staff for its usage. We should be able to start using the device by the end of the year,” said the official.
A GPR machine uses radio frequency to track underground utilities — both metallic and nonmetallic, including gas lines, pipes, and electricity cables, revealing both their location as well as their depth.
At present, the GMDA does not possess such a machine, but the vendors it hires to execute its projects undertake the work. This has led to complications and delays in several projects over the last few years, especially those located in old Gurgaon.
The project to revamp Atul Kataria Chowk, for example, was delayed after the public works department (PWD) discovered underground utilities during excavation, which had then to be shifted.
Once it has its own GPR machine, the GMDA also plans to map the underground utilities and make the data available on its One Map portal, which they hope will help other agencies — both private and public — plan infrastructure projects as well.