Sajid Malik, the CMD of Genesys, which is considered leader in creating high-precision 3D maps for Indian cities, told TOI that “after Ayodhya, the company has been chosen to do the digital twin stack of Varanasi. Being one of the oldest cities in the world and also the constituency of our PM, the Varanasi project is very important to us. We see this as a major endorsement of our new India digital twin map stack, which means creating an exact replica of a city.”
Explaining the digital programme, Malik said, “Like you need a good map before building a house, a 3D digital map is needed to boost urban infra and rejuvenation of a city. This is a very basic example. But when you are investing tens and thousands of crores of rupees in urban infra, your city map should be very modern and have minute details. Our map stack will provide 5 cm accuracy. We will add hosts of layers of information which allows for multiple applications to be built on map stack. This will be very useful for the city as well as for the citizens of Varanasi. Lots of urban rejuvenation projects going on in Varanasi will be aided by the digital twin stack. We will try to finish the project in 6 months.”
The urban spatial 3D digital twin will represent geometric representation of Varanasi’s real-world environment, including physical objects, processes, relationships and behaviours. This programme uses a unique combination of manned aerial light detection and ranging (LiDAR) mapping, terrestrial mobile LiDAR, and 360-degree street panoramic imagery to construct a comprehensive and accurate 3D model of the entire city. The primary objective of the programme is to leverage advanced spatial technology to address issues like easing traffic congestion, help in solid waste management, tackle urban floods & inundation, and promotion of tourism in the city.
LiDAR-based 3D map, which is a remote sensing method, accurately captures ground elevation and ground topography. The data will also provide foundation for further surveys to implement ambitious waterways transport projects.
Last year, Genesys had announced a strategic tie-up with the Survey of India to revolutionise India’s map content through the implementation of 3D digital twin mapping program. On other projects, Sajid told TOI, ‘We have till now done street imaging of 1,500 towns and cities in India. We are also simultaneously doing projects in several cities in the Gulf, including the holy city of Mecca. We are also working on the digital twin map for the redevelopment project of Dharavi slum.”