Introduction: Aerial survey is a geomatic way of gathering information through aerial photographs. These surveys are mainly used to collect data regarding topography, land use and engineering structures in support of cadastral surveying and mapping. Hence, before starting any construction project, the government or any private organization always go for an aerial survey to get a detailed idea of the land. The government allocated a large amount in these surveys for the advantages it offers. The government agencies sought for aerial survey for government protected monuments or sites, construction of barrages, mapping of a certain area, agricultural purposes and more.
Yearly Analysis of Aerial Survey Tenders: During the last year, the government agencies in India published a total number of 427 tenders for aerial survey. Among these, the maximum number of the tenders were published in the state of West Bengal at 62 tenders. Karnataka ranked second in the list with 57 tenders, followed by Maharashtra with 46 tenders. Of these 427 tenders, 28 tenders were published by the Archaeological Survey of India, which is the top ranked agency in advertising most tenders last year. PHE ranked second in the list by publishing 25 tenders.
Aerial Survey for Monuments: The government protected monuments or sites are the heritage of this country. However, as some of them are very old, the government needs to repair or renovate them. For these operations, at first a detailed idea of the land surface and the area is necessary. Hence, the government agencies conduct aerial surveys in these areas. Last year, a total number of 36 aerial surveys for centrally protected monuments and sites were conducted by the government agencies in India. For example, the Archaeological Survey of India published 27 tenders for the photogrammetric survey of the centrally protected monuments/sites covering protected, prohibited and regulated areas. Also, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department of Maharashtra advertised 7 tenders for the preparation of photogrammetric and LiDAR survey plan of the state protected monuments/sites to delineate protected, controlled areas and architectural drawings of the monuments.
Aerial Survey for Construction Purpose: The plan construction projects of government, which include dam or barrage construction, bridge construction, road construction and building construction etc, are mostly based on the surveys. Aerial survey is one of the most important and convenient one, as it provides a wider view of the area. In the previous year, a total number of 34 aerial survey tenders were advertised by the government agencies in India for construction purposes. Of which, 6 dam or barrage construction, 9 road construction, and 19 bridge construction projects are included. For example, CE-Water Resources Department of Pune in Maharashtra advertised a tender for drone survey work. Also, Delhi Development Authority sought for drone survey for River Yamuna. In bridge and road construction, the Central Public Works Department in Himachal Pradesh published 2 tenders for detailed aerial survey for construction.
Aerial Survey for Mapping: The government agencies conduct surveys to gather information for mapping a particular area. This method helps giving an idea of the boundaries of that area. In 2023, the government agencies in India published a total number of 58 tenders of aerial survey for the purpose of mapping. For example, Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited published 21 tenders for drone survey, which were conducted for work, mapping and compiling. Also, the Department of Higher Education in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand advertised 9 tenders, 2 in Uttar Pradesh and 7 in Uttarakhand for the hiring of drone with mapping camera. Apart from these, Settlement Commissioner and Directorate of Land Records (M.S.) Pune in Maharashtra released 4 tenders for drone flying work.
Aerial Survey for Agricultural Purpose: Nowadays, farmers are facing various problems in agriculture. Aerial surveys seem to be a help to them. These surveys can be used to monitor any type of crop in any Also, the soil and field can be analysed through these surveys. The government agencies also applying the benefits of these surveys in agriculture gradually. During the previous year, 3 tenders were advertised for aerial surveys in agricultural purpose by the government agencies. For example, WAPCOS Limited in Gujarat published a tender seeking for GIS related survey services for agricultural. Also, the Agriculture Department in Karnataka sought for agriculture drone mounted sprayer. The use of aerial surveys in agriculture is a growing effort taken by the government, which will be fruitful in near future.
Contract Value for Aerial Survey Tenders: The estimated contract value is not published for many of the tenders. However, we can draft an idea out of the ones that have published the estimate. The contract value varied from Rs. 5 thousand and goes up to Rs. 6 crores. For example, the District Magistrate of Purba Bardhaman in West Bengal advertised a tender for the hiring of drone for measuring stocks of sand with the estimated budget of Rs. 5 thousand. Whereas, one of the tenders published by the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department in Maharashtra was worth around Rs. 5.66 crores. Except for a few small budget projects, the estimate of most projects are more than Rs. 10 lakhs.
Live Tender Analysis: As of March 24, 2024, there were 20 live tenders. Of these, Karnataka ranked top with the maximum numbers of live tenders, which is 5. Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand ranked second in the list with 3 live tenders each, as shown in the graph below. Until March 25, 2024, the State government agencies and Public Sector Undertakings published seventeen Aerial Survey Tenders, eighteen LiDAR Survey Tenders and ninety Photogrammetry Survey Tenders.
Conclusion: The above analysis gives a significant idea about the growing demand and advantages of aerial surveys. From education to industry, along with agriculture and defence, the government agencies are taking initiatives in this regard. This also opens up a wide opportunity for the firms who interested in these tenders. This is highly profitable in terms of business purpose. The firms with required resources seeking for these opportunities must keep an eye on the government websites and make use of them.