Gurgaon Launches 'Rain-to-Resilience' Pilot with IIT Gandhinagar for Tech-Driven Flood Management
In a significant move to tackle chronic waterlogging and bolster flood preparedness ahead of the monsoon season, the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) is set to launch the pilot phase of a technology-driven flood prediction and management system. This innovative initiative is being developed in collaboration with the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar, marking a crucial step towards modernizing urban infrastructure in the city.
Pilot Phase Details and Implementation
The one-year pilot, aptly named "Rain-to-Resilience", will concentrate on three core areas: advanced flood forecasting, real-time monitoring, and data-backed decision-making. As part of this project, made-in-India flood-depth and drainage-health sensors will be installed at identified waterlogging hotspots across Gurgaon. These sensors are designed to track critical parameters such as:
- Water levels in drainage systems
- Drainage capacity and flow rates
- Silt accumulation and potential blockages
The real-time data collected from these sensors will feed directly into specialized flood prediction platforms, enabling officials to issue early warnings and implement location-specific preventive actions during heavy rainfall events. This sensor network is expected to serve as the foundation for future city-wide expansion plans, ensuring scalability and long-term impact.
Technological and Financial Aspects
During the initial phase, MCG will receive flood-prediction software platforms, including Aqua Twin and Rain to Flood, without any licence fees. The estimated cost for the sensor hardware is approximately Rs 1 lakh per unit, with the total hardware expenditure for the first phase projected at around Rs 20 lakh. All equipment deployed will remain the property of MCG, while technical maintenance and oversight will be supervised by IIT Gandhinagar, ensuring reliability and expertise.
If the pilot proves successful, the second phase will focus on city-wide expansion, round-the-clock operations, and advanced modelling services under a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. Officials have estimated the annual expenditure for this phase to be around Rs 30 lakh. However, if MCG opts to establish its own server infrastructure, the costs could escalate to between Rs 3 and 5 crore, highlighting the financial considerations involved in scaling up the system.
Collaborative Efforts and Data Security
The scientific modelling, system design, and technical validation for this project will be led by IIT Gandhinagar's Machine Intelligence and Resilience Lab. Meanwhile, the operational dashboard, 3D visualisation, and user interface will be developed by AirRescue Climsol Private Limited, a startup incubated at IIT Gandhinagar. It is important to note that all administrative and disaster-management decisions will remain under the purview of the civic body, ensuring local control and accountability.
Emphasizing data security, MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya stated, "A strict data sovereignty policy has been adopted under the project. All sensor data will be stored on secure, encrypted servers located in India and will remain under the control of MCG and IIT Gandhinagar. No foreign cloud or external server will be used." This arrangement is fully compliant with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, addressing privacy concerns and aligning with national regulations.
Long-Term Vision and Impact
Additional commissioner Yash Jaluka highlighted the project's potential benefits, including short-term flood forecasting, real-time monitoring, scientific identification of vulnerable areas, and data-driven planning in disaster management and urban planning. He added that the initiative will also enhance the technical capacity of municipal staff, fostering a more skilled workforce.
Jaluka further explained, "Prepared with 'Made in India, Designed for Gurgaon' thinking, the initiative aims to take the city beyond conventional drainage models to make it a smart, data-driven, and resilient city. If this pilot is successful, Gurgaon can become a national example of urban flood management in the coming years." This vision underscores the transformative potential of the project, positioning Gurgaon as a leader in leveraging technology for urban resilience and setting a benchmark for other cities across India to follow.
