✅ Purpose of a Topographic Survey

• Site grading and earthwork planning.

• Road, transmission line, or pipeline alignment.

• Bridge and river crossing design.

• Land development or drainage planning.

Typical Scope of Work

1. Desktop Study

   • Obtain base maps, satellite imagery, or existing plans.

   • Collect any known benchmark/control point data.

2. Site Reconnaissance

   • Visit the site to identify:

     • Access routes.

     • Obstacles (vegetation, structures, water).

     • Control point locations.

3. Control Point Establishment

   • Using DGPS/RTK or Total Station:

     • Set primary benchmarks with coordinates (UTM/local).

     • Fix at least 2–3 known reference points (preferably GTS or WGS84 datum).

4. Detail Topographic Survey

   • Capture:

     • Ground elevations at grid intervals (e.g., 10m × 10m or tighter if needed).

     • Breaklines and contour-defining features.

     • Existing roads, drains, walls, poles, trees, buildings, culverts, water bodies, etc.

   • Instruments: Total Station, DGPS/RTK, or Drone/LiDAR.

5. Cross-sections & Longitudinal Sections (for corridors)

   • Especially useful for transmission lines, roads, or canals.

   • Take readings at fixed intervals (10m–25m) and at change points.

6. Data Processing

   • Import data into AutoCAD Civil 3D, GIS, or similar software.

   • Generate:

     • Contour maps (usually at 0.5m or 1m intervals).

     • Spot level plans.

     • Longitudinal & cross-sectional profiles.

     • Feature maps.

7. Report & Drawings

   • Include:

     • Methodology.

     • Instrument details.

     • Accuracy checks.

     • Topographic map (plan with contours & features).

     • Benchmarks & coordinate tables.

     • CAD or GIS files.

Recommended Equipment

 Deliverables

• Topographic base map (CAD + PDF).

• Contour map with 0.5m or 1m interval.

• Digital Elevation Model (DEM), if needed.

• Feature classification (trees, drains, poles, buildings).

• Sectional profiles (if applicable).

• Benchmark location & coordinates.

• Survey report (PDF) with accuracy and method.

  Land Survey 

  Main Objective:

  To map the natural and man-made features of a land area with accurate positions (coordinates) and elevations for design, planning, and legal documentation.

  ---

  ✅ Step-by-Step Process

  1. Pre-Survey Planning

  • Collect existing maps, satellite imagery, Google Earth overlays.

  • Identify project boundaries and terrain challenges.

  • Get permission/coordination with local landowners if needed.

  2. Establishing Control Points

  • Use DGPS / RTK GPS to establish georeferenced control points.

  • Prefer WGS84 or UTM coordinates if it's part of a larger infrastructure network.

  • Mark at least two intervisible permanent benchmarks (BM).

  • Record:

    • Latitude, Longitude

    • Elevation (MSL)

    • Station name & description

  3. Detail Survey

  • Use Total Station, DGPS, or Drone/UAV depending on terrain.

  • Capture:

    • Spot levels at grid intervals (typically 5m–20m depending on terrain).

    • Man-made features: buildings, walls, roads, electric poles, drains, fences, etc.

    • Natural features: trees, rivers, ponds, rocks, slopes.

    • Breaklines and abrupt changes in level.

  • For corridor projects (like transmission lines, roads), record chainage-wise L-section and cross-section.

  4. Post-Processing

  • Download raw data and process in:

    • AutoCAD (Civil 3D) for drafting.

    • QGIS / ArcGIS for geospatial outputs.

    • Global Mapper (optional for terrain modelling).

  • Generate:

    • Contour map (0.5m or 1m interval typical).

    • Topographic map with features.

    • Spot level map.

    • Digital Terrain Model (DTM) or DEM if needed.

  5. Deliverables

  • ✅ Survey Report (PDF or Doc format)

  • ✅ Drawings:

    • Topographic Plan with Features

    • Contour Map

    • Cross Sections / L-Sections (if applicable)

  • ✅ CAD file (.dwg)

  • ✅ KMZ / SHP / CSV data (if GIS format required)

  • ✅ Control point data sheet

  ---

  1. Introduction

  • Objective

  • Site description (terrain, accessibility, challenges)

  2. Methodology

  • Equipment used (Total Station Model, DGPS Brand, Drone Type)

  • Control point establishment details

  • Grid spacing used

  3. Observations

  • Terrain type

  • Ground cover

  • Feature types encountered

  4. Accuracy & Checks

  • Closing error

  • Calibration details (if applicable)

  5. Drawings List

  • Drawing names, scales, file formats

  6. Conclusions

  • Suitability of data for design

  • Any limitations

  ---

  Estimated Cost Components (India Context)

  Item	Rate Range (INR)	Notes
  DGPS Control Point Establishment	₹3,000–₹5,000 per point
  Topographic Survey (Total Station)	₹5,000–₹10,000 per acre	Varies by terrain/access
  Drone Survey	₹3,000–₹8,000 per hectare	Better for large, open areas
  Processing & CAD Output	₹2,000–₹5,000 per sheet
  Report Preparation	₹1,000–₹3,000

   

  ---

   Optional Add-ons

  • Drone Photogrammetry or LiDAR (for large or difficult areas)

  • Hydrographic Survey if rivers/ponds involved

  • 3D Surface Modelling

  ⚡️ Transmission Line Survey – Detailed Overview

  Purpose

  To finalize the optimal alignment of the transmission line considering:

  • Engineering feasibility

  • Terrain and accessibility

  • Environmental and social impacts

  • Cost of construction and ROW (Right of Way)

  ---

  ✅ Step-by-Step Methodology

  1. Desktop Study / Preliminary Route Selection

  • Use topo sheets, satellite imagery (Google Earth or Bhuvan), and existing GIS data.

  • Avoid:

    • Forests, wetlands, dense habitation, archaeological zones

    • Steep hills or unstable slopes

    • Reserved land, protected areas

  • Propose 2–3 alignment alternatives for reconnaissance.

  ---

  2. Reconnaissance Survey

  • Visit all proposed alignments.

  • Identify:

    • Ground conditions (soil, rocks, swamp, etc.)

    • Crossings (river, canal, road, rail, other lines)

    • Habitation, agriculture, forests

    • Access roads and construction logistics

  ---

  3. Final Alignment Survey

  • Fix the centerline alignment using DGPS / Total Station.

  • Record chainages (0+000 onwards), turning points (TPs), and angle points (APs).

  • Note all terrain and land features along the route.

  ---

  4. Profiling & Tower Spotting

  • Take Longitudinal Section (L-section):

    • Station at every 20–30m (or less if undulating).

    • Additional points at breaklines, water crossings, ridges.

  • Prepare profile:

    • Elevations, ground clearances, sag, wind, and span lengths.

    • Apply tower spotting logic: tension towers, suspension towers, angle towers.

  • Use PLS-CADD or AutoCAD for spotting (if available).

  ---

  5. Crossings & Special Features

  • Survey details of:

    • Rivers (banks, HFL, width, flow direction)

    • Railway lines (track elevation, clearance)

    • Roads (ROW width, type)

    • Other utilities (pipelines, power lines, telecom)

  ---

  6. Soil Investigation (Optional at APs/Tower Locations)

  • Conduct boreholes or DPL/N-SPT at select tower points (especially for river crossing or special towers).

  • Assess:

    • Soil strata

    • Water table

    • Safe bearing capacity (SBC)

  Equipment Used

  Equipment	Purpose
  DGPS/RTK GPS	Control points, TP/AP location
  Total Station	L-section, cross-section, detail survey
  Drone/UAV	Quick profiling in inaccessible terrain
  Auto Level	Crossings or accurate level checks
  PLS-CADD / SAG10 / AutoCAD Civil 3D	Tower spotting and profiling

   

  ---

  Deliverables

  1. Topographic Alignment Map (with TP/AP, chainages, contours)

  2. Longitudinal Profile of alignment

  3. Tower Schedule (tension, suspension, angle towers)

  4. Crossing Drawings (roads, rivers, rail)

  5. Soil Investigation Report (if applicable)

  6. Survey Report including:

     • Methodology

     • Equipment used

     • Alignment description

     • Observations (forest, habitation, slope, etc.)

     • Tower spotting criteria

  ---

   Sample Drawing Set

  Drawing	Scale	Format
  Alignment Plan	1:10,000 or 1:25,000	CAD + PDF
  Profile Drawing	Horizontal 1:1000, Vertical 1:100	CAD
  Tower Spotting Sheet	Span-wise	Excel/CAD
  River/Road Crossing Detail	1:500 or 1:1000	CAD
  Control Point Sheet	--	CSV/Excel

   

  ---

  Indicative Survey Rates (India, Approx.)

  Item	Rate
  Alignment & Profiling Survey	₹3,000–₹6,000 per km
  DGPS Control Point	₹3,000–₹5,000 per point
  Drone Survey (optional)	₹5,000–₹10,000 per km²
  Soil Investigation at TPs	₹15,000–₹25,000 per borehole
  Tower Spotting in PLS-CADD	₹500–₹1,000 per tower

   

  What is a Contour Survey?

  A contour survey involves measuring and plotting the elevation of points on the land surface to create contour lines — lines that connect points of equal elevation.

  ---

  ✅ Step-by-Step Contour Survey Process

  1. Project Setup

  • Define boundary limits and purpose (e.g. road design, layout planning, etc.)

  • Decide contour interval:

    • 0.25 m for flat land

    • 0.5 m to 1 m for moderate terrain

    • 2 m or more for hilly areas

  ---

  2. Control Point Establishment

  • Use DGPS/RTK GPS or Total Station to establish horizontal and vertical control.

  • Fix benchmarks (BM) with known elevations.

  ---

  3. Detail Level Survey

  • Use:

    • Total Station for small/medium areas.

    • DGPS RTK for open areas.

    • Drone/LiDAR for large-scale or difficult terrain.

  • Take spot levels in a grid pattern:

    • 5m × 5m for detailed work

    • 10m × 10m or 20m × 20m for larger areas

  • Capture:

    • Ground levels (natural terrain)

    • Break lines (edges, ridges, depressions)

    • Man-made features (roads, drains, walls)

  ---

  4. Data Processing & Contour Generation

  • Use software like:

    • AutoCAD Civil 3D

    • Surfer

    • Global Mapper

    • QGIS / ArcGIS

  • Steps:

    • Import data (XYZ coordinates)

    • Generate TIN surface (triangulated irregular network)

    • Generate contour lines at the specified interval

    • Label contour values clearly

    • Overlay features if required

  ---

  5. Outputs & Drawings

  Output	Description
  Contour Map	Main output – with contour lines, labels, and terrain shape.
  Spot Level Plan	With ground elevations at each point.
  Grading/Drainage Plan	If needed, based on slope direction.
  3D Surface/DEM	Optional – for modelling or simulation.

   

  ---

  Survey Report Format – Summary

  Project Title: Contour Survey for [XYZ Project]
  Location: [Site details]
  Client: [Organization]
  Survey Date: [Start – End]

  Sections:

  1. Objective

  2. Instruments used

  3. Grid/spacing and contour interval

  4. BM coordinates and elevation

  5. Methodology

  6. Area covered and terrain type

  7. Contours generated

  8. Drawings & Data Deliverables

  ---

   Deliverables Checklist

  • Contour Map (PDF + CAD)

  •  Raw XYZ Data (CSV/Excel)

  • Benchmark details

  • Topographic base plan (optional)

  •  Spot level grid drawing

  •  Survey report

  ---

  Approximate Survey Costs (India, Typical)

  Item	Rate
  Total Station Contour Survey	₹5,000–₹10,000 per acre
  Drone-Based Contour Survey	₹4,000–₹8,000 per hectare
  Data Processing + Drawing	₹2,000–₹5,000 per map
  DGPS Benchmark Setup	₹3,000–₹5,000 per point

   

  ---

  Sample Use Cases:

  • Drainage slope design in layout planning

  • Slope stability analysis for hill roads

  • Plot levelling in construction

  • Embankment height in flood zones

  • Riverbank profile for erosion protection

  Pipeline Survey – Complete Guide

  Purpose

  To determine the most feasible alignment for a pipeline route with accurate ground levels, cross-sections, and information on crossings, structures, and utilities to support design, hydraulic modeling, and construction planning.

  ---

  ✅ Step-by-Step Methodology

  1. Preliminary Study

  • Gather:

    • Topographic sheets (SOI)

    • Satellite imagery (Google Earth, Bhuvan)

    • Existing utility data

  • Define:

    • Start & end points (e.g., intake, pump house, treatment plant)

    • Approximate alignment

    • Sensitive areas (roads, rivers, rail, forest, urban)

  ---

  2. Reconnaissance Survey

  • Visit the corridor.

  • Identify:

    • Accessible and inaccessible areas

    • Existing utilities (electric, telecom, water)

    • Ground condition (rocky, sandy, swampy)

    • Water crossings, forest/rail/road crossings

  ---

  3. Control Point Establishment

  • Use DGPS (RTK) or Total Station to establish benchmarks.

  • Mark starting points (SP) and intermediate benchmarks.

  • Reference to known coordinate system: WGS84/UTM/local grid.

  ---

  4. Detailed Alignment Survey

  • Fix centerline using DGPS or Total Station.

  • Take readings at:

    • 20–25 m intervals along the centerline

    • Break points (undulations, curves, culverts)

    • Chainage markers (e.g., 0+000, 0+025…)

  • Record:

    • Spot levels

    • Cross-sections (±10–20 m on either side)

    • Features: buildings, roads, poles, trees, fences

    • Utilities: water, gas, sewer lines

  ---

  5. Profiling and Cross-Sectioning

  • Prepare:

    • Longitudinal Profile (L-Section) along the pipeline centerline.

    • Cross-sections at regular intervals and at important features.

  • Output:

    • Chainage

    • Ground elevation

    • Proposed pipeline invert level

    • Cover depth

    • Slope (gradient)

  ---

  6. Crossing & Structure Survey

  • Provide detailed levels and measurements at:

    • Road crossings

    • Rail crossings (with clearances)

    • Canals / rivers (bed level, HFL, flow direction)

    • Bridges / culverts

  ---

  7. Soil Investigation (Optional but Recommended)

  • At select chainages, conduct boreholes or DPL tests.

  • Determine:

    • Soil type and strength

    • Water table depth

    • Safe trench depth and bedding requirement

  ---

  Deliverables

  Deliverable	Description
  Alignment Map	With chainages, roads, rivers, utilities, benchmarks
  Longitudinal Section (L-Section)	Chainage-wise elevation and design slope
  Cross-Sections	For trench and hydraulic design
  Topographic Map	With features and ground contours
  Control Point Coordinates	Benchmark sheet with coordinates and elevations
  Survey Report	Method, instrument, observations, challenges
  Soil Investigation Report (if done)	SBC, strata, groundwater
  CAD + GIS files	DWG, CSV, KML, etc.

   

  ---

  Equipment Used

  Instrument	Use
  DGPS / RTK GNSS	Control points, alignment
  Total Station	Profiling, detailing
  Auto Level	Check levels at crossings
  Drone/UAV	Large corridors or inaccessible areas
  Soil tools	DPL, SPT, borehole rigs

   

  ---

  Sample Report Sections

  1. Introduction

  2. Survey Area Description

  3. Methodology

  4. Instruments Used

  5. Control Point Details

  6. Findings (terrain, utilities, crossings)

  7. Challenges Encountered

  8. List of Drawings & Data Files

  ---

  Typical Survey Rates (India – Approx.)

  Item	Rate (INR)
  Pipeline alignment + profiling	₹5,000–₹10,000 per km
  DGPS control point setup	₹3,000–₹5,000 per point
  Drone survey (optional)	₹5,000–₹10,000 per km²
  Cross-section at intervals	₹500–₹1,000 per section
  Soil testing (DPL/SPT)	₹15,000–₹25,000 per point

   

  ---

   Sample Use Cases:

  • Drinking water pipeline (WTP to city)

  • Irrigation canal to command area

  • Sewerage pipelines in urban/rural areas

  • Oil & gas cross-country pipelines

  • Industrial raw water pipelines

  Solar Survey – Full Guide

  Purpose

  To assess a site’s solar potential, layout suitability, shadow impact, structural condition, grid connectivity, and electrical integration feasibility.

  ---

  ✅ Types of Solar Surveys

  Type	Application
  Rooftop Survey	Urban/residential/commercial buildings
  Ground-mounted Survey	Utility-scale or industrial open land
  Floating Solar Survey	Over lakes, canals, reservoirs
  Solar Irradiance Survey	To evaluate solar energy generation potential

   

  ---

  Step-by-Step Solar Survey Methodology

  1. Pre-Survey Desk Study

  • Gather satellite imagery (Google Earth, Bhuvan)

  • Check solar irradiance data (e.g., from MNRE, NIWE, PVGIS, or Solcast)

  • Study grid availability, road access, terrain constraints

  • Site selection based on:

    • Land use/zoning

    • Slope (preferably <5–10° for ground-mount)

    • Distance to substation

  ---

  2. Physical Site Survey

  For Rooftop Solar:

  • Measure:

    • Rooftop dimensions, slope, orientation

    • Parapet height, existing structures (tanks, ducts)

    • Shadow mapping (trees, towers, buildings)

  • Check:

    • Roof material & condition

    • Access for installation & maintenance

    • Load-bearing capacity (approx.)

  For Ground-Mounted Solar:

  • Measure:

    • Boundary area (using Total Station/GPS/Drone)

    • Slope & contours (for drainage and panel tilt)

    • Soil type (for foundation design – optional soil testing)

    • Existing vegetation/obstacles

  • Identify:

    • Nearest substation/grid point

    • ROW access

    • Water bodies, wetlands, forest, or protected land

  For Floating Solar:

  • Conduct bathymetric survey

  • Check water depth, wave activity, anchoring feasibility

  • Evaluate evacuation path and onshore facilities

  ---

  3. Shadow Analysis

  • Use tools like:

    • Solar Pathfinder, SunEye, or Helioscope

    • 3D modeling in SketchUp or PVsyst

  • Map shadows across seasons and time of day

  • Ensure minimum shading on PV modules, especially during peak hours (9 AM to 3 PM)

  ---

  4. Solar Resource Assessment

  • Get GHI, DNI, DHI values from:

    • NIWE Solar Atlas

    • Solcast, PVGIS, or Meteonorm

  • Site-specific irradiance estimation (if installed: pyranometer or temporary weather station)

  ---

  5. Electrical & Grid Survey

  • Document:

    • Nearby LT/HT line and substation

    • Metering arrangement

    • Earthing/grounding systems

    • Potential point of interconnection (POI)

    • Electrical load data (for rooftop/net metering)

  ---

  Survey Deliverables

  Deliverable	Description
  ✅ Site Plan	Roof or ground layout with dimensions & shading
  ✅ Topographic Map	For large ground-mounted plants
  ✅ Shadow Analysis Report	Sun path, obstructions, shading hours
  ✅ Irradiance Data	From satellite or local measurements
  ✅ Structural Suitability Report	For rooftop load capacity (basic)
  ✅ Evacuation/POI Map	Electrical connectivity path
  ✅ Survey Report (PDF)	With photos, maps, measurements
  ✅ CAD/SketchUp Layout	Optional – panel layout + tilt direction

   

  ---

  Instruments & Tools Used

  Instrument/Tool	Purpose
  Measuring tape / laser rangefinder	On-site measurements
  DGPS / Total Station / Drone	For ground-mounted layout & contour
  Solar pathfinder / SunEye / mobile app	Sun path & shadow check
  Smartphone with GPS & compass	Quick rooftop surveys
  Camera / Drone	Site photos and documentation

   

  ---

  Indicative Survey Costs (India, Approx.)

  Type	Rate
  Rooftop Solar Survey	₹2,000–₹5,000 per building
  Ground-mounted Survey	₹5,000–₹10,000 per acre
  Drone-based Topo + Solar Layout	₹6,000–₹12,000 per hectare
  Shadow/Path Analysis + CAD Layout	₹3,000–₹6,000 per site
  Floating Solar Feasibility Survey	₹10,000–₹25,000 per water body

   

  ---

  Sample Report Structure

  1. Introduction

     • Project overview

     • Site location

  2. Survey Methodology

  3. Site Details

     • Area

     • Access

     • Terrain / Roof layout

  4. Shading Analysis

     • Obstacles

     • Sun path diagram

  5. Irradiance Data

  6. Electrical Feasibility

  7. Layout Plan

     • Proposed module placement

  8. Conclusion & Recommendations

  What is Building Stakeout?

  Building stakeout is the process of physically marking the foundation lines, column centers, excavation boundaries, and offsets of a building on-site using pegs, nails, lime, or paint — based on architectural/structural drawings.

  It ensures:

  • Correct position, orientation, and level of the building.

  • Accurate axis alignment for columns and walls.

  • Proper excavation boundaries and footprint marking.

  ---

  ✅ Step-by-Step Process of Building Stakeout

  1. Pre-Stakeout Preparation

  • Collect:

    • Architectural layout and structural grid drawings

    • Site plan with coordinates (AutoCAD file if possible)

  • Ensure control points or benchmarks (with known coordinates and elevation) are already established using DGPS or Total Station

  ---

  2. Equipment Used

  Instrument	Purpose
  Total Station or Theodolite	For accurate angle and distance setting
  Auto Level / Dumpy Level	For transferring RLs (Reduced Levels)
  Measuring tape, pegs, nails, lime	Ground marking
  Laser level (optional)	For interior/floor stakeouts

   

  ---

  3. Stakeout Procedure

  A. Set Out Main Building Axes

  • Transfer grid lines from the plan to the ground using a Total Station.

  • Mark the main X and Y grid lines using pegs/nails with reference to site boundaries.

  B. Mark Column/Grid Intersections

  • Stake out column centerlines at their intersection points.

  • Use string lines or paint to connect and visualize the entire foundation grid.

  C. Set Building Corners & Foundation Limits

  • Mark outer building corners based on offset distances from grid lines.

  • Set excavation limits wider than footing to allow for working space.

  ⬇️ D. Transfer Elevation (RLs)

  • Use Auto Level to mark the Plinth Level, basement, or foundation bottom level.

  • Use horizontal pegs or nails in walls as level references (Batter Boards if excavation will disturb pegs).

  ---

  Deliverables After Stakeout

  Deliverable	Description
  ✅ Stakeout Report	With date, surveyor name, instruments, checks
  ✅ As-built Drawing (Optional)	Marked location of grid points if surveyed post-stakeout
  ✅ Photos of stakeout	For documentation or billing
  ✅ Coordinate Table	For all grid points and column centers (optional)

   

  ---

   Sample Format – Stakeout Report

  Building Stakeout Report

  Item	Detail
  Project Name	XYZ Building Project
  Location	Lucknow
  Date of Stakeout	06/06/2025
  Instrument Used	Total Station (Make/Model)
  Reference Benchmark	BM-01: RL = 102.50 m
  Grid Lines Set	A to F and 1 to 5
  Elevation Fixed	Plinth Level: RL = 103.00 m
  Stakeout By	Surveyor/Engineer Name
  Remarks	All grids verified. Error within ±5 mm.

   

  ---

   Common Tips

  • Use offset pegs and batter boards to preserve line marking even after excavation.

  • Double-check angles using theodolite or Total Station resection.

  • If using GPS, ensure sub-centimeter RTK accuracy — not sufficient for interior columns or small buildings.

  • For multi-story buildings, transfer plumb line or use laser vertical alignment tools.

  ---

  Indicative Cost (India, Approx.) for Small–Medium Projects

  Task	Rate
  Basic Building Stakeout	₹5,000–₹15,000 per layout
  Multi-storey Layout (per floor)	₹3,000–₹6,000
  With elevation transfer + level pegs	Add ₹2,000–₹4,000
  Re-check/Verification survey	₹1,000–₹3,000

  Road Survey – Full Guide

  Purpose of Road Survey

  To capture accurate ground data along a proposed or existing alignment to:

  • Finalize horizontal & vertical alignment

  • Design road cross-section, earthworks, and drainage

  • Identify crossings (rivers, drains, utilities)

  • Plan for widening, rehabilitation, or new construction

  ---

  ✅ Types of Road Surveys

  Type	Description
  Reconnaissance Survey	Initial broad study of possible routes
  Preliminary Survey	Fixing alignment and rough L-section
  Detailed Survey	Final alignment, L-section, cross-sections, topography
  Traffic Survey	Volume, composition, origin-destination (OD)
  Soil & Material Survey	Subgrade strength, borrow pits, quarries

   

  ---

  Step-by-Step Methodology for a Road Detailed Survey

  1. Reconnaissance

  • Identify alternative routes using:

    • Satellite imagery

    • Existing maps

    • Site visit

  • Observe:

    • Terrain

    • Drainage

    • Habitation

    • Obstacles (rail, river, hills, structures)

  ---

  2. Control Point Establishment

  • Fix at least 2–3 DGPS/RTK control points along the corridor

  • Mark using pillars or pegs

  • Benchmark for elevation (RL) transfer

  ---

  3. Alignment & Topographic Survey

  • Use Total Station or DGPS/RTK to capture:

    • Centerline (chainage-wise)

    • Turning points (horizontal deflection)

    • Spot levels, ground features

  • Survey width:

    • Rural roads: 15–20 m corridor

    • Highways: 30–60 m or more

  • Include:

    • Drains, culverts, bridges

    • Trees, electric poles, buildings

    • Road intersections or existing carriageways

  ---

  4. Longitudinal Section (L-section)

  • Take levels along centerline at:

    • Every 10–25 meters

    • At vertical/horizontal curve start & end

    • At culverts, crossings, dips/rises

  5. Cross Sections (X-sections)

  • Perpendicular to the centerline at 25m or 50m intervals

  • Capture:

    • Natural ground levels (both sides, usually 10–20m each side)

    • Drain levels, embankments, side slopes

  ---

  6. Drainage and Utility Mapping

  • Map all:

    • Culverts, canals, rivers, nallas

    • Electric poles, pipelines, optical fiber, etc.

  • Note crossing type, dimensions, and flow direction

  ---

  Instruments Used

  Instrument	Use
  DGPS/RTK GPS	Control point fixing, georeferencing
  Total Station	L-section, cross-section, detail survey
  Drone/UAV (optional)	Quick corridor mapping
  Auto Level	RL transfer for leveling work

   

  ---

  Deliverables

  Item	Description
  Alignment Plan	With chainages, turning points
  Longitudinal Profile (L-section)	Elevation vs. chainage
  Cross Sections	At 25–50m intervals
  Topographic Map	Features and contours
  Culvert/River Crossing Drawings	Details of crossing points
  Control Point Sheet	Coordinates and elevations
  Survey Report	Methods, instruments, data accuracy, observations
  CAD Files (.DWG)	Full drawing set with layers
  SV/Excel/KMZ	Point data if GIS-based work needed

   

  ---

  Typical Costing in India (Indicative)

  Task	Rate (Approx.)
  Road Survey (Detailed)	₹3,000–₹7,000 per km
  DGPS Control Points	₹3,000–₹5,000 per point
  Drone Survey (optional)	₹6,000–₹10,000 per km²
  L-section & Cross-section plotting	₹500–₹1,000 per km
  Soil Testing (if required)	₹15,000–₹25,000 per location

   

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   Sample Report Structure

  Road Survey Report – Project XYZ

  1. Introduction

     • Project details

     • Survey scope

  2. Methodology

     • Equipment used

     • Chainage intervals

     • Grid setup

  3. Observations

     • Terrain

     • Obstructions

     • Water bodies/utilities

  4. Survey Drawings List

  5. Benchmark & Control Points

  6. Conclusion/Recommendations

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  ⚠️ Additional Considerations

  • For hilly terrain, include slope % and rock outcrops.

  • For urban roads, detailed utility mapping is critical.

  • For NH/SH/PMGSY projects, follow IRC or MoRTH guidelines.