India, September 2014: The Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute (MERI) which has been undertaking reservoir sedimentation survey using the remote sensing technology in Maharashtra has informed media that it has received new orders from central government.
According to reports, MERI, which has over nine branches and is venturing in over 13 researches ranging from sedimentation to hydronamics, is preparing to carry out reservoir sedimentation across 30 dams in 15 states.
"The survey is expected to bring in revenue of Rs 60 lakh for MERI and is aimed at getting the exact storage of water in dams and the percentage of silt there. The survey will be carried out in some of the northern states of the country, besides a few of in the East and South," an official from MERI told media.
The survey will begin in summer when the dams are at their lowest ebb or in monsoon when they are full. Satellite imageries would be captured and then the process would be repeated several times of the year before the data collated and studied.
MERI is also reportedly contemplating to expand the use of remote sensing to other fields such as water conservation. The organisation is currently hosting a two-day discussion on Development of Decision Support System for Water Resources in conjunction with UK Science and Innovation Network, India.
MERI officials said the round-table discussion will be chaired by the principal secretary, water resources department and co-chaired by Dr Tom Wells, the deputy head, UK Science and Innovation Network, India, British Deputy High Commission, Bangalore. The objective of the event is to evolve a system to enhance the application of remote sensing and GIS tools for development of decision support system (DSS) for water resources.
Source: Times of India
