Delhi opts for digital mapping system to monitor school infrastructure, ETEducation
New Delhi: The city is preparing for a large-scale infrastructure exercise for govt schools. Centred on a new digital mapping system, it will capture the real-time condition of more than 1,000 govt school buildings.
At the heart of this initiative is an AI-enabled profiling mechanism that will create detailed digital records for every campus, setting the foundation for safer and more resilient learning environments. “Govt’s plan is to build a dynamic inventory that not only documents the physical state of schools but also flags issues automatically by comparing on-ground data with CBSE and National Disaster Management Authority standards,” said an official. This digital system will generate customised analytical reports, giving administrators a clear view of what needs immediate attention and what requires long-term planning, he added.
To build this database, authorities will use a combination of drone-based surveys, 360-degree imaging and GPS-enabled tagging. Each school will undergo an assessment, covering structural stability, classroom conditions, electrical systems, laboratories, sanitation facilities, sports infrastructure and overall safety mechanisms. A dedicated web platform will compile all information, standardise them and create individual digital profiles that can be updated as improvements are made. Officials believe the exercise will transform how school infrastructure is monitored and maintained, replacing scattered manual records with a centralised, data-driven system.Supporting this massive audit is a three-month internship programme, under which young learners — both undergraduate engineering students and Class XII passouts — will be engaged to assist with the field surveys. The idea is to give students direct exposure to real-world engineering processes while strengthening the city’s planning framework. Each intern will receive around Rs 15,000 as a stipend.
“Their responsibilities will include conducting physical inspections, capturing drone footage, recording room-by-room 360-degree visuals, and uploading the information through the web-based application. They will categorise classrooms, laboratories, furniture, toilets, electrical fittings and other facilities under clear labels such as ‘good’, ‘minor repair’, ‘major repair’ or ‘replacement needed’,” the official said. Under the guidance of structural engineers, interns will also help with visual safety checks.
For schools that show signs of structural weakness, the audit data will be reviewed by technical institutions such as IITs or NITs, which may recommend interventions ranging from waterproofing and retrofitting to demolition in extreme cases.
Officials said the project would create Delhi’s first comprehensive digital inventory of govt school infrastructure, an evidence-based system that would help policy decisions, streamline repairs and shape long-term investment in safer campuses.
Source link
