Ranchi, July 8: The state government has initiated a move to map a major chunk of Ranchi district using GIS and 3D technology to ensure that any future planning exercise is conducted scientifically.

An idea mooted by chief minister Arjun Munda, the map, when complete, will be the first of its kind in Jharkhand. It promises to take into account every detail of the chosen area so that future planners are able to assign select projects — like residential or industrial — best suited to individual localities.

The state planning and development department, which will be handling the project, has invited expressions of interest from prospective parties/agencies — either an institution, consultant or group and individuals — with at least five years of experience in geographic information systems (GIS), 3D mapping, urban planning and other related fields.

“We intend to get into mapping activity of an area outside Ranchi municipal limits, but within a radius of 50km. The mapping is to be done to get solutions for futuristic planning,” the department’s secretary, Avinash Kumar, said.

A 50km radius will mean areas around and beyond Ramgarh, Bundu-Tamar and Khunti will come under the radar of GIS or 3D mapping.

The mapping will not only suggest land use patterns, but will also earmark areas to be declared green areas, open spaces and for extending civic amenities like sewerage and drainage systems.

A meeting with interested parties has been scheduled for August 2 during which the secretary of the planning and development department will formulate the modalities of the job. The process to actually award a contract will be taken up later.

Scientific approach to planning for the state capital and its adjoining areas has become imperative given the manner in which the population of Ranchi has swelled and there is less space available within the main city area.

The jurisdiction of Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has been widened to the ring road, which is on a 10km periphery of the main city area. The urban development department has already invited tenders for preparing a new master plan — the 1983 plan is useless now — for Ranchi and a couple of other cities.

Kumar admitted the task of GIS or 3D mapping would be new for the state. “Hence, we will invite suggestions from interested parties during the August 2 meeting. The modalities of the job will be worked out after taking into account their suggestions,” he said.