Govt to take Tk 115cr project for land surveys

The government will bring the whole country under a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) by 2020 to conduct accurate land surveys and prepare databases on land management. 

A project styled “Expansion of GNSS network and modernisation of tidal station” involving Tk 115 crore will be tabled at a meeting of the Executive Committee of National Economic Council tomorrow.

Of the cost, the Japan International Cooperation Agency will provide Tk 97 crore as grant.

The project proposal says sophisticated technology will be used to carry out land surveys in order to prepare accurate databases for land management, infrastructure development and planning.

This project will help monitor tectonic plate movements, predict earthquake vulnerability of different areas, and update with better accuracy all geodetic control networks (an aid to measuring land surface features).

It will also help precisely detect land displacement and subsidence after major disasters and aid damage assessments.

The proposal said updating thematic maps and topographic data using sophisticated technology was very vital as land usage patterns were changing rapidly due to continuous urbanisation and industrialisation.

Using the GNSS data, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department will be able to make more precise and real-time weather forecasts while the Land Record and Survey Department can prepare meticulous digital maps very easily and quickly.

The government established six permanent GNSS stations in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Moulvibazar and Rangpur which have continuously been in operation since December 19, 2011.

However, these stations can conduct surveys of only surrounding areas which are within a 30-kilometre radius, meaning most of the country remains left out.

At present there is only one tidal station in Rangamati. Another will be established to enable the measurement of mean sea level.