REDEFINING THE HORIZONTAL & VERTICAL

CONTROL IN INDIA, GCPs, DATUM

TRANSFORMATION, UPDATION OF LAND RECORDS
: CONTRIBUTIONS OF SURVEY OF INDIA
U. N. Mishra
Director
Geodetic & Research Branch

Activities of Geodetic & Research Branch

Responsible to Provide Horizontal and Vertical
Control
Determination of Transformation Parameters
between WGS
WGS--84 and Everest
Everest.. These are available
with G&RB
GCP Library Project About to complete
Antarctica Expedition Participation since 1990
1990--91
National GPS Data Centre Analysis of GPS data
received from Permanent Stations in India
Real Time GPS Data Centre Receiving GPS data
from Tidal Ports in India
Redefinition of Indian Vertical Datum

Activities of Geodetic & Research Branch

Contd.
Geodetic
&
Geophysical
studies--Gravity,
studies
Geomagnetism
Astronomical Observations
Observations--Determination of
True North
Collection, processing and archiving of Tidal
Data along the Indian coast
coast..
Publication of Indian Tide table and Hugli river
tide tables every year in advance
advance..
Redefinition of Indian Vertical Datum
Data dissemination
Capacity building/Training

Requirement of Datum and Coordinate System

To perform surveying and Mapping a datum

and coordinate system is required
required..

What is Datum?
A datum (plural datums
datums)) is a reference from which
measurements are made
made..
It is an associated model of the shape of the earth (ellipsoid) to
define a Geographic Coordinates
Coordinates..
Horizontal datums are used for describing a point on the
earths surface, in latitude and longitude or another coordinate
system..
system
Vertical datums measure elevations or depths
depths..

Datum used in Surveying:

Horizontal Datum
Datum-- (Ellipsoid)
Vertical datums (Geoid
Geoid/MSL)
/MSL)

Geoid
Figure of Earth
Geoid (Close to
MSL)

2/15/2012

Actual shape of earth

2/15/2012

The Ellipsoid
The Geoid is a complicated surface defined by infinite
number of observed gravity points, hence not suitable to
perform mathematical computations
computations..
The ellipsoidal surface is smooth and convenient for
mathematical operations
operations..
Therefore ellipsoid is widely used as the reference surface
(datum) for horizontal coordinates in geodetic network
network..

2/15/2012

Ellipsoid (Best Fit Mathematical Surface)

Figure of Earth

Ellipsoid (GRS80)

2/15/2012

10

Horizontal Datum:
An Ellipsoid is Used as Horizontal Datum
Datum..
Its centre coincides with the centre mass of the
earth..
earth
Its minor axis is parallel to the axis of rotation
of the earth
earth..
Everest ellipsoid was used as a Horizontal
datum in India and adjacent countries

2/15/2012

11

Everest Ellipsoid
Evolved from measurement of great Meridonial arc from
Kanyakumari to Banog near Mussoorie
Mussoorie..
Arc closely passes through 780 E Meridian
Meridian..
Col. Lambton started the observation of Great Arc on 10 April
Col.
1802 from St
St.. Thomas Mount, Madras by measuring a base line
of 40006
40006..4 feet (12194
12194m)
m)..
Sir George Everest in 1830 concluded the task of Great Arc
measurement by computing the parameters of the Ellipsoid
which was named after him
him..
The values are as under
a = 6377301
6377301..243
243m
m
b = 6356100
6356100..231
231m
m
f = 1/300
300..8017

2/15/2012

12

2/15/2012

13

World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS(WGS-84)

For all practical purposes, the GRS
GRS80
80 and WGS
WGS84
84
ellipsoids are identical
identical..
WGS84 was designed to be a practical standard global,
WGS84
geocentric horizontal datum for
for::
Mapping
Charting
Geodesy and
Navigation
2/15/2012

14

WGS84 Ellipsoid
Bureau International de lHeure (BIH)

2/15/2012

15

Best Fit Ellipsoid and Geocentric Ellipsoid

Figure of Earth
Geoid (Close to MSL)
Locally Best
Best--fit Ellipsoid
(Everest Ellipsoid)

Centre of Mass of
Earth

2/15/2012

16

Geocentric Ellipsoid
(GRS80)

International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF)

(ITRF)
In the Surveying terminology, a reference frame is a set
of points with their coordinates which realize an ideal
reference system
The International Earth Rotation Service (IERS) mission
is to provide internationally accepted terrestrial
reference systems
ITRF is produced by IERS
The ITRF is realized through the global Cartesian coordinates
and linear velocities of a global set of sites equipped with
various space geodetic observing systems
systems..
The space geodetic techniques used at present are LLR, SLR,
VLBI, GPS, and DORIS (Doppler Orbitography and Radio
Radio-positioning Integrated by Satellite, is a French precision
navigation system)
17
2/15/2012

IGS
The International GNSS Service (IGS) is a voluntary federation of
many worldwide agencies
IGS collects, archives, and distributes GPS observation data sets of
sufficient accuracy to satisfy the objectives of a wide range of
applications and experimentation
experimentation..
IGS has a number of components
components::
an international network of over 500 continuously operating dual
dual-frequency GNSS stations
More than a dozen regional and operational data centers
three global data centers
seven analysis centers and a number of associate or regional analysis
centers
2/15/2012

18

IGS Stations

2/15/2012

19

Status of Horizontal Control in India - Past

Old Geodetic Triangulation
GT Triangulation was started on 10th April, 1802 with an aim
to design a Horizontal datum for India and adjacent
countries
Observation Theodolite for angular and Invar wire for
linear measurements
Layout Geometrical figure
adjustment can be performed

and

network

so

that

Result Everest Ellipsoid as Indian Geodetic Datum,

Horizontal coordinates for surveying and mapping
activities
In all 2873 GT stations in India situated on high hill tops
tops..
Present status Switch over from Everest to WGS
WGS--84

Status of Horizontal Control in India - Past

Status of Horizontal Control in India - Past

Number of Series of Indian Triangulation 37
Primary and 57 Secondary
Secondary..
One Series is adjusted within it but most of the
series are not adjusted among themselves
resulting in mismatch at junctions
junctions..
Accuracy achieved is inferior compared to
accuracy achieved through GPS technology
technology..

Status of Horizontal Control in India - Present

GCP Library Phase - I
The Phase
Phase--I consists of about 300 points spacing about 250 to 300
km apart
These points will serve as the framework for geodetic control for
entire country
country..
These points has permanent monumentation
monumentation..
GPS observations have already been completed using Dual
frequency GPS receivers on all these stations in static relative
mode w.r.t. IGS Stations (International GPS Stations for
Geodynamics Studies)
Studies)..

GCP Library Phase I Monument

Design of GCP Library Phase-I Monument

GCP Library Phase-I: Distribution in India

1

Andhra Pradesh

21

Assam & Nagaland

11

Bihar

Chhattisgarh

Delhi

Gujarat, Daman & Diu

22

Haryana

Himanchal Pradesh

Jammu & Kashmir

10

10

Jharkhand

11

Karnataka

21

12

Kerala & Lakshyadeep

13

Madhya Pradesh

18

14

Maharashtra & Goa

24

15

Meghalaya & Arunachal Pradesh

16

Orissa

11

17

Punjab & Chandigarh

18

Rajasthan

25

19

Tamilnadu, Pondi, A&N Islands

16

20

Tripura, Manipur & Mizoram

21

Uttar Pradesh

22

22

Uttarakhand

15

23

West Bengal & Sikkim

11

Total

291

Achievements: GCP PhasePhase-I

Phase--I:
Phase
Observations on 291 stations in different states is
completed
Coordinates of all points has been computed using
Bernes 5.0 software with reference to IGS stations in
ITRF 2008 (Epoch 2005
2005))

Subsequent Phases Of GCP Library

Phase--II
Phase
The control is being densified by providing 2200 points at the spacing of 25 to
30 km
This task is under progress and following states have already been covered
HP, Haryana, Punjab
MP, UP, Bihar (North)
Maharastra, Gujrat
Karnataka, Kerala, Tamilnadu
Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, WB
Uttarakhand
Rajasthan: GPS Observation is in Progress

Phase--III
Phase
Control will be further densified by regional directorates of Survey of India at
the spacing of 8 to 10 km (about 7000 points)

Subsequent Phases Of GCP Library

Phase--II
Phase
States where observations has to be done in next a few months
Chattisgarh,, South Bihar, Jharkhand (Naxalite Belt area)
Chattisgarh
J & K State
North Eastern States including Sikkim
Sikkim..

Achievements: GCP PhasePhase-II

Phase--II
Phase

Observations has been completed in the following states

Name Of State
Punjab, Haryana, Himachal
MP, UP, Bihar
Maharastra, Gujrat
Karnataka, Kerala, Tamilnadu
AP, Orissa, WB
W UP and Uttarakhand

Rajasthan (work in progress)

Total GCP Observed

No. of Phase II GCP Observe

(31+35+22) = 88
(178+84+50) = 312
(219+145) = 364
(132+45+106) = 283
(244+95+67)= 406
86

100
1639

Achievements: GCP PhasePhase-II

Work in Progress

Field work will

start in June / July
2012

Field work will

start in 3rd week
of Feb 2012

Network Adjustment Strategy

Coordinates of CORS will be computed with reference to ITRF 2008 (Epoch
(Epoch2005
2005)) coordinates of
IGS Stations
Stations.. Here epoch referes to the co
co--ordinates of IGS station on 1st January, 2005
2005.. We are
adjusting the co
co--ordinates of 1st phase points with reference to Permanent Continuous
Operating Reference Stations (CORS)
(CORS).. As we know that the Indian plate is moving like other
plates of earth due to plate tectonic
tectonic.. It is also seen that Indian plate is having appreciable
velocity of the order of 5-6 cm par annum
annum..
If we adjust our Ist Phase points with respect to our permanent CORS better adjustment will
result under appreciable velocity of Indian plate
plate..
CORS

IGS
(HYDE)

Phase-I

IGS
(IISC)

Phase-I

CORS

Phase-I
Phase-I

Contd
Contd

Owing to velocity factor due to movement of Indian

plates the co
co--ordinates of a point will be different in
different years but all the co
co--ordinates are
standardised at epoch 2005 in ITRF 2008 reference
frame..
frame
So, co
co--ordinates may be revised after 10 15 years to
different ITRF epoch
epoch..
User agency should adopt the co
co--ordinates supplied
by SOI only for consistency
consistency..

GCP PhasePhase-I Network: Adjusted with reference to CORS

At
present
the
network is being
adjusted using the
vendor software.
However,
after
completion of entire
work of Phase-II
also,
network
is
proposed
to
be
adjusted
using
BIGADJUST
programme as a
measure
of
independent check.

GCP PhasePhase-II Network: Adjusted with reference to

Phase--I
Phase

Accuracy Expected
Positional accuracy of control points after final adjustment is
expected to be better than
3cm for Phase
Phase--I GCPs
9cm for phase
phase--II GCPs and
15 cm cm for phase
phase--III GCPs

Accuracy Expected
Positional accuracy of control points after final adjustment is
expected to be better than
3cm for Phase
Phase--I GCPs
9cm for phase
phase--II GCPs and
15 cm cm for phase
phase--III GCPs

National GPS Data Centre

National GPS Data Centre was setup under Satellite
Geodesy Wing in March 2001 for deformation and plate
motion studies
It has the mandate of receiving, analyzing and archiving of
Permanent GPS stations data across the country
The data is being received and archived from Permanent
GPS stations
This data is available for sharing with other scientific
organizations for scientific studies
studies..

PANAMIC
LEH
JAMMU & KASHMIR
HENLE

INDIAN GPS NETWORK

NADDI
KOTHI
HIMACHAL
PRADESH

BHATWAR
I

NATIONAL GPS DATA CENTRES,DEHRADUN

PUNJAB
UTTARAKHAND

MUNSIYARI
ALMORAI
PITHORAGARH

DEHRADUN
HARYANA
DELHI

GANGTOK
LUCKNOW
KANPUR

BOMDILA
SIKKIM
TEJPUR

RAJASTHAN

UTTAR PRADESH

GUAHATI

MUKUKCHUNG
SHILLONG

MEGHALAYA

BIHAR

IMPHAL

BANGLADESH
DHANBAD
JHARKHAND

KANDLA

MADHYA PRADESH

WEST BENGAL

VADINAR
OKHA

GARDEN REACH

BHOPAL

GUJARAT

JABALPUR
DIAMOND HARBOUR

PORBANDAR
HALDIA
VERAVAL

SAGAR

ORISSA
BHUBANESHWAR
PARADIP
MAHARASHTRA

GOPALPUR

MUMBAI
PUNE
JNPT
ANDHRA PRADESH

JAIGARH

ARABIAN
SEA

VISAKHAPATNAM
KAKINADA

MACHILIPATNAM

HYDERABAD

MARMAGAO

GOA

KARWAR

BAY
OF
BENGAL

KARNATAKA
KRISHNAPATNAM
AERIAL BAY
ENNORE

NEW MANGALORE

CHENNAI
BANGALORE

BEYPORE

PONDICHERY

PORT BLAIR

CUDDALORE
TAMILNADU

ANDROTH
KAVARATTI

NAGAPPATINAM
COCHIN
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

MINICOY

KODAIKANAL
RAMESHWARAM
TUTICORIN

NANCOWRY

KANYAKUMARI
CAMPBELL BAY

REFERENCES
SOI GPS STATIONS WITH VSAT( OPERATIONAL)
SOI GPS STATIONS WITH VSAT( PROPOSED)
PERMANENT GPS STATIONS

REAL TIME GPS DATA

Under the modernization of Indian
Tide Gauge Network in Post Tsunami
Scenario, several tidal observatories
across the East & West Coast of India,
Andaman & Nicobar Islands and
Lakshadweep Islands have been
established..
established
20 of these stations are equipped with
dual
frequency
GPS
Receivers
collocated with Digital Tide Gauges
Gauges..
These stations have Real Time Data
Transmission (RTDT) facilities through
VSAT..
VSAT
GPS Data is received, archived and
processed at National GPS Data Centre
Centre..
REMOTE VSAT SETUP

39

REDEFINITION OF INDIAN VERTICAL DATUM DENSIFICATION

GTS Levelling was carried out
between 1850 to 1905
1905..
Indian Vertical Datum was first time
defined in 1905
1905..
Then no Invar staves were used
used..
No Fore Back Levelling was done
done..
Most of the BMs established then do
not exist on the ground now due to
developmental activities and vagaries
of the weather
weather..
Without Gravity Values
Values..
It was assumed that water level of
Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal is
same, which is infact different due to
different salinity and consequent
different density
density..
Levelling was not adjusted in single
all India Level Network
Network..
Hence necessary to Redefine Vertical
Datum..
Datum
With the requirement of height
accuracy within few centimetres and
to achieve water flow criterion, we
needed to redefine vertical datum
datum..

In past, the requirement of contours was 10 m / 20 m in plain

areas and 100 m / 200 m in the hilly area (due to sparse
developmental activities) but now owing to population pressure
and need for faster development for micro level planning,
requirements have increased to get the contour at 50 cm / 1 metre
metre..
We are facing more drainage problem, more sewer lines are
required, to solve water problem we need to interlink rivers
rivers..
Essential ingredient in all these works is precise vertical control
i.e. precise level line which meets water flow criteria
criteria..
To achieve this an initiative to redefine the vertical datum for the
whole country has been taken up
up.. In this project, it is envisaged to
carryout the High Precision Levelling alongwith the gravity
observations to obtain the geopotential numbers
numbers..
These newly defined heights will be based on the geopotential
numbers and Helmert Orthometric Heights which are
scientifically correct heights and follows the water flow criterion
criterion..

The entire project is divided in two phases:

First Phase : To form the main frame of vertical control for the
entire nation (~45000 Km in both direction).
Second Phase : Based on the main frame of vertical control further
densification of the vertical control will be done (~100000 Km in
both direction).
Phase I of the Project for Redefinition of Indian Vertical Datum
has been completed.
Phase-II for the densification of Levelling newtwork will be
undertaken on allocation of budget.
Precise Vertical control is also very important ingredient for
national development, so, like any other developed country, India
needs to have this framework at the earliest.
Proposal for allocation of Budget to the tune of Rs. 15 crores has
been submitted for approval.

MAJOR UTILITIES
Interlinking of Rivers
Rivers..
Flood Control
Control..
Development of efficient Drainage and sewer line system
system..
Coastal Hazard Line Delineation
Delineation..
High value infrastructural and engineering projects
projects..

PROJECTS IN PIPELINE
Virtual Reference Station Network
Corrections issued by a beacon installed at continuous operating
GPS Reference Stations, when received by an observer in the area
of work can find out position with sub
sub--metre accuracy with single
small portable receiver .
It will enable quick mapping and updation of maps, cadastral
mapping using single receivers
receivers..
It can be used for the tracking and navigation (Rail/Road/Air) and
for many other applications such as maintaining accurate land
records and land uses, Infrastructure Project Planning etc
etc..
With GCP Library Stations already in place, such a network is
being conceived and a proposal is in the final stages of preparation
for submission
submission..
It is estimated that total cost of the project will be in tune of Rs
500 crores
crores..

CONCLUSION
Provision of dense control at a spacing of less than 20 km will benefit the
user community in many ways
ways..
The biggest benefit will be the standardisation of our land records, which is
hitherto in very bad shape inviting number of litigations
litigations..
So far our land records are mostly on Cassini Projection, which is a
equidistant projection
projection.. Distortion of area and shape are functions of distance
from central meridian
meridian.. Scale is true along central meridian only
only.. Because of
which it can not be used for bigger areas
areas.. Therefore, land records are
maintained in pieces and seamless record is not possible/available
possible/available..
It is envisaged in Land Record modernisation programme of Government
of India that now onwards all the records will be based on Phase I, II and III
GCPs on WGS
WGS--84 Datum with UTM Projection
Projection.. Using GCPs, control will
be brought to village through GPS and thereafter using Total Station
boundaries of land parcels will be measured/demarcated
measured/demarcated..

45

CONCLUSION

Contd.

Once the GCP Phase

Phase--III Project is completed, denser network of
control will be available
available..
In future the GCP points are proposed to be equipped with the
facilities to transmit the differential corrections to the user community
in the form of Continuous Operating Reference Stations / Virtual
Reference Station
Station..