DSSDI Case Study v1.0
DSSDI Case Study v1.0
DSSDI Case Study v1.0
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure (DSSDI)
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The project has proved to be the forerunner of many such SDI (Spatial Data
Infrastructure) projects within the country, which will give a very sound foundation for
e-Governance.
2. INTRODUCTION
The scene of an urban landscape is generally similar across Indian cities, including the
metros, and Delhi is no exception. There is the 'old city' area, Chandni Chowk, which has
somehow withstood the onslaught of the construction boom, preserving its narrow lanes
and cluttered dwellings and shops. Here, the roads get dug up frequently to make room
for more sewage lines, telephone ducts, gas pipelines and electric lines. Once you travel
away from this 'heart' of the city, you may find yourself in a relatively planned
neighborhood. Here, one will find new construction activities in full bloom, along with
road widening and laying of new underground utility lines. It is a chaotic backdrop in
front of which the Government of NCT of Delhi works hard to provide all utility and
related services to its citizens and at the same time tries hard to keep in check illegal
construction and its associated menaces.
The government required a vision to make this a less chaotic scene. They wanted a tool, a
system, which could pinpoint location of a cable duct underneath a busy road, or the
correct location of a disputed land holding. It had to be a system that was always
available as and when required - no point digging a well when thirst was felt. The
Disclaimer: This case study has been prepared solely as a basis for class discussion. This case is not intended to
serve as an endorsement, a source of primary data, or an illustration of effective or ineffective management.
The publication may not be digitized, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced, posted or transmitted, without the
permission of DARPG.
Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure (DSSDI)
objective of DSSDI project was to primarily build the 3D spatial datasets using modern
technologies.
Disclaimer: This case study has been prepared solely as a basis for class discussion. This case is not intended to
serve as an endorsement, a source of primary data, or an illustration of effective or ineffective management.
The publication may not be digitized, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced, posted or transmitted, without the
permission of DARPG.
Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure (DSSDI)
Earlier, there were deficiencies in scientific urban planning and lack of basic authentic
physical spatial data. Geospatial data was either not available or it was available in
fragments with some individual departments. Repeated field surveys were required
whenever any department needed geographical attribute. No standard mapping
procedures were followed. Thus, integration of maps was not possible and strategic
planning based on holistic geospatial data & attributes was not possible. There was no
reliability of data either. Different results would be given when data was sought at
different times. Searching, collating and analyzing data was a herculean task in itself
involving lot of time and effort. Top level management was unable to get an overall view
of the ground level attributes / status along-with geo-spatial data.
Seeing the impending requirement of a system which could provide holistic and uniform
ground level realities to the top level management, an MoU was signed between Delhi
Government and Survey of India in 2008 to implement the DSSDI project. Contract was
awarded on March 7, 2008, through competitive bidding.
Entire area of Delhi (except the restricted area) has been covered under the project. The
dataset of the DSSDI project includes 356 geo-spatial layers (above the ground, on the
ground and below the ground) with the attribute data of about 29 departments /
agencies.
The project was intended to achieve high accuracy GPS surveys for entire Delhi,
establishing control network including monuments, photogrammetric capture (from
aerial photographs and in 3D) of roads, buildings, parks, water bodies and all over-
ground features, generation of base map on 1:2000 scale and an Orthophoto; surveys for
underground utilities using Ground Probing Radars; creation of Land Information
System (LIS) and Urban Spatial Information System (USIS), setting-up of 2 Control
Centers and 10 Monitoring Centers with IP Cameras and a DSSDI Portal for line
departments of Government of Delhi, and generation of 3D pictorial data base as well as
capacity building for line departments of GNCTD. The LIS was conceived for up to date
cadastral information. The USIS was conceived for the spatial data/information
requirements of urban planning for routine functions of the line departments of Delhi.
GNCTD, through legislation has made it compulsory for all government departments to
use the common database created under DSSDI project. All GNCTD departments are
duty bound to update the data periodically. It is mandatory for all line departments of
GNCTD including civic authorities, planning bodies, custodian of cadastral maps and
other users of public money to use common digital database with multiple layers as a
means of reducing conflicts while undertaking future planning, design engineering and
construction activities including digging the roads. DSSDI data is also being used for:-
Disclaimer: This case study has been prepared solely as a basis for class discussion. This case is not intended to
serve as an endorsement, a source of primary data, or an illustration of effective or ineffective management.
The publication may not be digitized, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced, posted or transmitted, without the
permission of DARPG.
Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure (DSSDI)
a) City planning
b) Urban development
c) Land management
d) Management of over ground / underground utilities
e) Traffic management
f) Property tax/other revenue collection,
g) Updating property records,
h) Pollution and environment monitoring,
i) Security planning and management,
j) Hazards and Disaster Management,
k) Change detection Analysis of building construction
l) Deciding the Title of Land/building by judiciary.
The Delhi administration felt the need of large scale accurate spatial datasets covering
1500 sq. km area for planning and monitoring of various developmental activities and
providing citizen-centric services. In order to ensure the updated procedure in the spatial
and attribute datasets, the need to create a geospatial act was felt to mandate keeping the
data and services updated and current, conforming to the emerging technologies and
standards.
Geo spatial scientific data has always been in high demand - utility companies like
electricity, water and natural gas, government agencies like Delhi Jal Board, power
companies, sewage maintenance department, public works department, the list is
endless. However, there was always a lack of standardized data. Available data was
sporadic and was not useful for all purposes - it was often specific or in poor form, since
each agency or department had looked at its own need in isolation whenever such data
had to be created.
The reasons for such lack of data are clear - it's no easy task to create this data in the first
place. It involves numerous surveys - both air and land based, along with radar based
ground mapping. It also involves monumentation and control framework design, ortho
photography and photogrammetry. Data modeling and system design is the next phase,
along with creation of an appropriate information system which shall present the data in
Disclaimer: This case study has been prepared solely as a basis for class discussion. This case is not intended to
serve as an endorsement, a source of primary data, or an illustration of effective or ineffective management.
The publication may not be digitized, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced, posted or transmitted, without the
permission of DARPG.
Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure (DSSDI)
a usable format. Thus, it was not a task that could have been handled by a single line of
department.
Stakeholders
o Line Departments
o Public Authorities
o Public/Private Agencies
o Local bodies
o Regularity Authority of the Govt. of NCT of Delhi
o Geospatial Delhi Limited
o Citizens
Beneficiaries:
This necessity for the data gave birth to a pilot project by Department of Science and
Technology, Government of India on 3D GIS in Chandani Chowk area, Delhi.
The successful pilot eventually led to the DSSDI project. The Department of IT gathered
inputs from each participating line department and built every component of the project
from scratch. The base map was created through the photogrammetric procedures on a
large scale (1:2000), using aerial photography substantiated by various kinds of field
surveys, namely topographic survey, property survey of dwelling units, underground
utility surveys (including water, sewer and energy utility ) and field photography in order
to generate textures for the 3D models of the buildings. At the peak of the project
execution, close to 1000 field surveyors were deployed.
Disclaimer: This case study has been prepared solely as a basis for class discussion. This case is not intended to
serve as an endorsement, a source of primary data, or an illustration of effective or ineffective management.
The publication may not be digitized, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced, posted or transmitted, without the
permission of DARPG.
Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure (DSSDI)
Two major components of Project are the Land Information System (LIS) and the Urban
Spatial Information System (USIS). The LIS has been aimed for having up-to-date
cadastral information while the USIS shall cater to spatial data/ information
requirements of urban planning. Special purpose vehicles (SPV), Geo-spatial Delhi Ltd
has been formed, authorized to keep the records of the land-holdings ownership, land
use etc.
Before the Delhi Geo Portal could go live, it obviously required the databases, maps and
the related logic to be built into the system. The preparatory activities included high
accuracy GPS surveys for entire Delhi, establishing control network including
monumentation, photogrammetric capture (from aerial photographs and in 3D) of
roads, buildings, parks, water bodies and all ground features, generation of base map on
1:2000 scale and an Orthophoto; surveys for underground utilities using Ground
Probing Radars. The above activities led to the creation of Land Information System
(LIS) and Urban Spatial Information System (USIS), setting-up of 2 Control Centers and
10 Monitoring Centers with IP Cameras and a DSSDI Portal for line departments of
Government of Delhi and generation of 3D pictorial data base as well as capacity
building for line departments of GNCTD. The LIS was conceived for up-to-date cadastral
information. The USIS was conceived for the spatial data/information requirements of
urban planning for routine functions of the line departments of Delhi.
In order to effectively utilize the geospatial data for urban planning, “The Delhi
Geospatial Data Infrastructure (Management, Control, Administration, Security and
Safety) Act, 2011” was notified. It envisages inter-alia:
Mandatory sharing, accessing and utilization of Delhi Geo-Spatial Data (29 line
departments were identified)
Setting up of Legal entity under section 25 of the Indian Companies Act (namely
Geospatial Delhi Ltd)
Service level agreement with other departments
Establishing Regulatory Authority for enforcing provisions of the Act
Disclaimer: This case study has been prepared solely as a basis for class discussion. This case is not intended to
serve as an endorsement, a source of primary data, or an illustration of effective or ineffective management.
The publication may not be digitized, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced, posted or transmitted, without the
permission of DARPG.
Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure (DSSDI)
o Government departments are able to add data of public interest such as online
availability of beds in the hospital, availability of vacant seats in the educational
institutions and update them from time to time. Keeping the security aspects in view,
select layers of DSSDI are also available in public domain to users across the nation
via internet thus commencing the digital era. All other layers are available to
authorized users of line departments of GNCTD. Geospatial Delhi Limited, a
company already incorporated and functional owns and manages the process.
provides a solid foundation to discover, query, and access multi- geospatial data
and services
enables Portal users to connect with related user departments through authored
channels, search for and view metadata, access and view geographic data and
Web services, and publish (register) their metadata and services on the geo-
portal and
facilitates value added applications from the main server
Moreover, mobile GIS enabled person are based in the field to acquire, store, update,
analyze and display geospatial information. Mobile GIS integrates one or more of the
following technologies:
Mobile devices.
Disclaimer: This case study has been prepared solely as a basis for class discussion. This case is not intended to
serve as an endorsement, a source of primary data, or an illustration of effective or ineffective management.
The publication may not be digitized, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced, posted or transmitted, without the
permission of DARPG.
Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure (DSSDI)
The use of smartphones for collecting data (providing feedback about the actual state in
the field and integration with GIS maps) for feedback and remedial action has been
demonstrated. In the long run, there is potential to use remote sensing by enabling near-
persistent surveillance of key geographic areas and identifying anomalies through
spectral processing etc.
The Delhi GeoPortal is integrated with email services through which line
department/stakeholders communicate to the concerned officials of Geospatial Delhi
Ltd.
Interoperability:
Interoperability implies that the communicated information is understood by the
receiving system. This has been taken care of by taking following steps:
The software used can seamlessly integrate with most existing GIS environments.
It can support numerous geospatial data formats.
It is compliant with OGC and ISO standards and can interact perfectly with
external systems and applications.
Proven technological standards such as Java results in ease integration into IT
environments, including security.
Security is one of the important components in the entire system. Access to the system is
password protected. DSSDI Project has implemented various layers of security.
Physical Security
Software Security
User Management and Administration: For secured and authorized access to
Data, Network, Devices and Application
Physical Controls: Physical controls to access the data center and other resources
Access Control (Web Feature Services) : Secure access to data
Service Continuity: Redundant IT resources, including bandwidth
SSL : The DSSDI portal has been developed and deployed on Secure Intranet.
The DSSDI Public Portal has been developed using SSL.
Disclaimer: This case study has been prepared solely as a basis for class discussion. This case is not intended to
serve as an endorsement, a source of primary data, or an illustration of effective or ineffective management.
The publication may not be digitized, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced, posted or transmitted, without the
permission of DARPG.
Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure (DSSDI)
The MOU between GNCTD and SOI (Survey of India) was signed with
Government of Delhi.
There were various SLAs that were signed with MTNL for providing connectivity
to the departments.
Multiple department level SLAs will be in picture once the citizen centric
information will be provided by GSDL.
o The DSSDI Project has a highly distributed, replicable and scalable architecture. The
project has implemented 10 identical Monitoring Centers equipped with miniature
version of the Control Centers to share the load when required. The Monitoring
Centers also balance the load of Change Detection Processing for all IP Cameras
deployed across the city. In case of failure of a Monitoring Centre, the entire
processing can be shifted to another Monitoring Centre on the MPLS.
o The system has been implemented on state of the art Enterprise Grade Equipment.
The current storage requirement of the project is 25 TB and the available storage
subsystems are scalable up to 96 TB. The Database server is currently populated with
Dual EPIC Processors and is scalable up to eight processors providing a 4 times
scalability in processing performance when required.
o Currently, 28 stakeholder departments have leased line facility with control center.
In due course more departments are expected to get this facility. Scalability will not
be a problem as:
• Connectivity will be ensured through SLA based leased lines and
Disclaimer: This case study has been prepared solely as a basis for class discussion. This case is not intended to
serve as an endorsement, a source of primary data, or an illustration of effective or ineffective management.
The publication may not be digitized, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced, posted or transmitted, without the
permission of DARPG.
Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure (DSSDI)
• There will be only a marginal increase of load on the server at the backend as
the geospatial features have already been mapped.
o The existing database will be thrown open to the public shortly through internet
based public geoportal. In case planning for the entire NCR region is to be done on a
holistic basis, the same infrastructure can be suitably upgraded with nominal
investment and satellite/aerial imagery.
DSSDI Project has a highly distributed, replicable and scalable architecture. Hence
there are hardly any restrictions for its replication or scaling up in future as required.
Redundancy is maintained by having 10 monitoring centers and in case of failure in
one or more centers, remaining centers can cater to the additional load.
.
Risk Analysis:
The project involves gathering, processing, analysis and publication of geo spatial
data which may capture details of sensitive establishments, such as layouts, bird's eye
view showing detailed facility structure as well as personally identifiable data such as
housing scheme layouts and locations of specific assets. Moreover, during processing
of data, the data may get modified intentionally or unintentionally, if it fell in wrong
hands. Thus, data security was a critical risk that was analyzed early and addressed
by hosting the data at the secured data center and using secured and encrypted
connections. Data open to public access was only for viewing purpose, without any
scope for modification.
Department level workshops were held. The advisors of GSDL interacted with their
allocated departments to enhance the level of the departmental users in updating and
utilizing Geospatial data/maps. It is now proposed to set up full-fledged facilities for
hands on training over the Geospatial system (including geo web portal). A workshop
“Sensitizing schools with the versatility of GIS” was conducted for the school
students on November 14, 2012
Disclaimer: This case study has been prepared solely as a basis for class discussion. This case is not intended to
serve as an endorsement, a source of primary data, or an illustration of effective or ineffective management.
The publication may not be digitized, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced, posted or transmitted, without the
permission of DARPG.
Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure (DSSDI)
Costs are further reduced as the leased line access available to departments enables
visualization of database on computers, thereby reducing the need for excessive printing
through costly plotters.
To Organization:
o All stakeholder departments have access to Geospatial maps/imagery along with
attribute data in respect of more than 356 layers (as authorized) through a dedicated
high band-width (4Mbps) leased line. The graphic interface provides easy
navigability after clicking on the website icon. Use of DSSDI database will lead to
enhancement of property tax collection, report generation on status of property tax
and updates on tax paid.
o The DSSDI project has revolutionized the planning process. Generation of high
resolution maps (on a scale of 1:2000) with attributes, have facilitated micro level
planning. There is reliability of results. Query facilities have drastically reduced the
time required to access data, analyses it and present in a form that is useful. Now
there is no need for each department to do field surveys as the DSSDI database/maps
are available. This has led to savings in costs of repeat surveys.
o The top level management is now able to get overall view of the ground level
attributes/status along-with geo-spatial data, thereby facilitating planning for
remedial measures.
o The “Plan Dig Monitor Application” has eased the process for the departments for
planning and getting utility and spatial information of the area of interest, for
digging/excavation purposes.
To Citizens:
Applications for using mobile and GIS are being conceptualized. For example, a
mHealth system can serve pregnant women. The pregnant woman can send SMS via
GPRS network thereby giving her ID and coordinates (Longitude and Latitude). The
server, on receiving the SMS can search database and help the pregnant women in
different ways e.g. find her location (home, market, etc.) in emergency cases, inform
ambulance service about the co-ordinates, advise about the nearby health care
centers, send message to nearby hospital etc.
Other Stakeholders:
Through the PDM Application, online enrolment of contractors and grant of
permission on a single window interface would be possible in a few months.
Disclaimer: This case study has been prepared solely as a basis for class discussion. This case is not intended to
serve as an endorsement, a source of primary data, or an illustration of effective or ineffective management.
The publication may not be digitized, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced, posted or transmitted, without the
permission of DARPG.
Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure (DSSDI)
The existing portal is being revamped for streamlining web enabled single window
services to contractors for registration and permission for construction/excavation
activity. It is proposed to set up a separate Geo portal for the public/citizens in the next
phase. Crowd-sourcing is contemplated for Geo-tagging, updating and validation of
Geospatial/attribute data.
A separate project “Development of Smart city using DSSDI dataset” with an estimated
cost of Rs.21.1 crores has been recently approved by the Department of Electronics and
Information Technology (DeitY), Government of India under World Bank funded
scheme. Citizen centric services will be one of the components of the project.
In future digital certificate tokens are envisaged upon integration with G2C services such
as Property Tax etc.
Sustainability
Since the architecture is such that it has been developed using Open Geospatial
Consortium (OGC) GIS standards, there is no vendor lock-in, thereby ensuring longevity
and adaptability. A common standard for all departments enables sharing, overlay of
different thematic layers, integration of Geospatial data/maps and effective planning on
a sustainable basis. The network is configured with a unified architecture and provides
scope for future scalability of the whole system without major architectural changes.
Creation of infrastructure and facilities for updating through leased lines between
departments and control centers has provided a sustainable basis for updating of data.
Frequent updating of data is being ensured by GSDL through field surveys/departmental
inputs. Satellite has been purchased in 2012 and has become base for geospatial data
updation.
GSDL has large pool of dedicated resources not only for updating the spatial data but
also to train the officials of stakeholder departments such as Geospatial Advisors for
interaction with the line department and planning of long term and short term activities
with the department using Geospatial technologies, Geospatial Executives for
development of application software, maintenance of geo-portal, liaison with
departments and lastly, Geospatial Associates and Assistants for lab based creation and
updation of GIS data using satellite image and departmental inputs. This ensures quality
inputs on sustainable basis for data updates, maintenance and utilization.
9. ANNEXURE(S)
EXHIBIT – 1 – Glossary
Disclaimer: This case study has been prepared solely as a basis for class discussion. This case is not intended to
serve as an endorsement, a source of primary data, or an illustration of effective or ineffective management.
The publication may not be digitized, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced, posted or transmitted, without the
permission of DARPG.
Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure (DSSDI)
Disclaimer: This case study has been prepared solely as a basis for class discussion. This case is not intended to
serve as an endorsement, a source of primary data, or an illustration of effective or ineffective management.
The publication may not be digitized, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced, posted or transmitted, without the
permission of DARPG.
Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure (DSSDI)
Disclaimer: This case study has been prepared solely as a basis for class discussion. This case is not intended to
serve as an endorsement, a source of primary data, or an illustration of effective or ineffective management.
The publication may not be digitized, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced, posted or transmitted, without the
permission of DARPG.