<i>Country's first digital topographic map 45pc complete</i>
The country's first complete digital topographic map, presenting a detailed and accurate graphic representation of cultural and natural features on the ground, is 45 percent complete.
The Survey of Bangladesh is scheduled to finish the mapping by 2016 under a Tk 181 crore project initiated in 2007.
The map will make baseline surveys for alignment, layouts and design sketches of projects like Padma bridge, nuclear power plants, pipelines and drainage systems easier, quicker and precise, said Survey of Bangladesh Director Colonel Mahmudun Nabi recently.
It will prove to be immensely useful for agencies like Roads and Highways Department, Bangladesh Water Development Board, Bangladesh Forest Department, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, Department of Environment and Department of Land Record and Surveys.
“A precise map helps us in precise planning and execution of complicated development projects,” said Mahmudun, adding that the map will save Tk 374 crore of the Annual Development Plan 2010-11.
The map will be scaled 1:5,000 for the five divisional cities of Barisal, Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet and 1:25,000 for the rest of the country.
“We will compose 954 sheets of the national map, all to be available online,” he added. As part of the project, a Digital Mapping Centre will be set up in the city's Mirpur this year.
Uniform nationwide topographic information is essential for the country's development, aiding people from all walks of life, especially over land demarcation disputes, said Mahmudun.
“Once we have the system, the digital map can be precisely updated,” he said.
He, however, expressed concern over budget constraints on the upgrading process. The Survey of Bangladesh drew a detailed map of Dhaka city in 2004 but it was never updated for fund constraints, he added.
The Survey of Bangladesh, the sole national topographic mapping authority, started the project with technical and financial support from Japan International Cooperation Agency.
“We did not have any previous experience to carry out the huge task. Our staff were trained in Japan and Thailand,” said Mahmudun.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments