The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has launched a Geographical Information System (GIS) based Road Asset Management System (RAMS) to improve road maintenance and management in the city.
The initiative addresses key challenges, including lack of data, inefficient resource allocation and ad hoc maintenance decisions that have focused on urban road management for years, a press release said.
One of the major problems identified by the PCMC is the lack of a unified database for road assets, which leads to fragmented information and inefficient planning. In addition, the lack of a unique road identification system has made tracking and management of infrastructure challenging. Road maintenance is often guided by subjective demands rather than measurable criteria, resulting in an uneven distribution of resources.
Fringe areas are frequently neglected while some well-maintained areas undergo frequent maintenance, leading to unnecessary expenditure on the network and poor service levels, officials said.
Technology-driven solutions
The RAMS project presents a technology-driven solution to these problems by creating a centralized GIS platform that provides detailed and real-time data on roads and related infrastructure. This includes road conditions, maintenance history, and property details such as utility poles, street lights, and signage. The system leverages advanced equipment such as GPS-enabled vehicles equipped with high-resolution cameras to collect data and assess road conditions.
Speaking about the initiative, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh said: “The GIS-based RAMS enables us to adopt a scientific approach to road management, ensuring that resources are efficiently utilized and maintained equitably across the city. The project identifies potential problems and turns them into bigger problems.” Focuses on preventive maintenance before, thereby reducing long-term maintenance costs.It also includes post-monsoon surveys to assess road conditions and budget effectively Integrating it with PCMC’s Work Management System (WMS), will eliminate redundancies in maintenance, ensuring a more streamlined and accountable process.”
Highlighting the importance of this approach, City Engineer Makarand Nikam said, “RAMS is not just a maintenance tool; It’s a strategic investment.”
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