GEOSPATIAL DATABASE CREATION FOR KUMBH MELA

AREA, HARIDWAR, UTTARAKHAND, INDIA

PROJECT REPORT

SUBMITTED TO

HEMVATI NANDAN BAHUGUNA GARHWAL UNIVERSITY

(NAAC Accredited ‘A’ Grade University)
Srinagar-Garhwal, Uttarakhand-246174, India

In partial fulfilment for the award of the degree

Of
MASTERS OF SCIENCES
In
Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System Application
(2018– 2020)

Submitted by Under the Supervision of:

SHANKAR VERMA DR. SUSHMA GAIROLA
Scientist/Engineer-SC
Uttarakhand Space Application Centre
Dehradun
HEMVATI NANDAN BAHUGUNA GARHWAL UNIVERSITY
(A Central University)
SRINAGAR GARHWAL,
UTTARAKHAND, INDIA

CANDIDATE’S DECLARATION
I, Shankar Verma, student of M.Sc. IVth Semester (Remote Sensing and GIS
Application), H.N.B. Garhwal University hereby declare that the work being presented in
this dissertation report entitled “Geospatial Database Creation for Kumbh Mela Kshetra,
Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India” is an authentic work carried out by me under supervision
of Dr. Sushma Gairola Scientist/Engineer-SC, Department of Earth Science, Uttarakhand
Space Application Centre Dehradun, Uttarakhand, is being submitted for the partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the award of degree of Master of Science in Remote
Sensing and Geographical Information System Application submitted to the Department
of RS and GIS Application , H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand,
India.

I have not submitted the matter embodied in this report for the award of any other degree of
this or any other Institute.

SHANKAR VERMA
HEMVATI NANDAN BAHUGUNA GARHWAL UNIVERSITY
(A Central University)
SRINAGAR GARHWAL, UTTARAKHAND, INDIA

Prof. C.M Sharma Department of Remote Sensing

HEAD-IN CHARGE and GIS Application
Email: [email protected] H.N.B. Garhwal University
SRINAGAR GARHWAL-
246174

Date:

RECOMMENDATION

This dissertation entitled “Geospatial database creation for Kumbh Mela

Kshetra, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India”, submitted by Mr. Shankar Verma
towards the partial fulfilment of Degree of master of science in Remote Sensing
and Geographical Information System Applications, School of Earth Science,
Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar (Garhwal), is a
satisfactory account of his project work and is recommended for the award of
degree.

Date: Head of Department

 Uttarakhand Space Application Centre
Department of Information and Science Technology
Government of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand Antriksh Bhawan, Upper Aamwala, Nalapani, Raipur, Dehradun-248008
Telephone: 0135-2763239, Fax: 0135-2769851, Email- [email protected], Website: http://u-sac.in/

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Mr. Shankar Verma, student of M.Sc. Remote Sensing and
GIS applications from HNB Garhwal University (A Central University), Srinagar
(Garhwal), Uttarakhand has successfully completed his dissertation work at Uttarakhand
Space Application Centre (USAC), Department of Information and Science Technology,
Govt. of Uttarakhand, Dehradun.

The duration of dissertation was January 1, 2020 to May 31, 2020 (Extended till
December 10, 2020 due to Covid-19) and worked on the project titled “Geospatial Database
Creation for Kumbh Mela Kshetra, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India” under my guidance
and supervision. I wish him success for future endeavours.

Date: December 10, 2020 (Dr. Sushma Gairola)

Scientist/Engineer-SC
Project Supervisor
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Successful completion of any work is the outcome of hard work and wishes of
several people. Thus, I would like to thank all such hands and brains behind the
successful completion of this dissertation report.
I would like to my express my sincere gratitude to Prof. M. P. S. Bisht, Director,
Uttarakhand Space Application Centre, Department of Information and Science
Technology, Uttarakhand, for the continuous support in my research, providing
valuable guidance and moral support.
I, express my profound gratitude to Dr. Sushma Gairola, Scientist/Engineer-SC,
Uttarakhand Space Application Centre, Dehradun, who gave me the opportunity to
work under her supervision and for the continuous support to my research, providing
valuable guidance, for her patience and provided moral support. I am deeply
thankful to her for sharing her knowledge and expertise with me during my
dissertation report and also for providing all the necessary help.
I would like to my express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Deepak Rawat, IAS, Mela
Adhikari, Maha Kumbh Mela-2021, Haridwar for his valuable guidance to my
research.
I am highly indebted to Prof. C. M. Sharma (Head, Department of RS and GIS
Application, H.N.B Garhwal University) for providing me an opportunity to do
project work in Uttarakhand Space Application Centre (USAC), Dehradun, and his
constant encouragement and guidance of this study, without his help, this work has
not been completed.
I am very obliged to my teacher Prof. S. K. Ghildiyal, (Dept. of RS and GIS
Application, H.N.B Garhwal University) for his constant motivation, personal care,
inspiration and guidance.
I would like to my express my sincere thanks to Mr. Pushkar Kumar,
Scientist/Engineer-SC and Mr. Hemant Bisht, System Manager, Mr. Pankaj
Kumar Tomar, Research Fellow, USAC for their continuous support and valuable
suggestions to my research.

I hardly find any words to express my deep gratitude to my family and friends for
their generosity and encouragements by shouldering all the responsibility, providing
congenial atmosphere, moral support and blessings.

SHANKAR VERMA
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………….….....1
1.1 Scope of the Work…………………………………………………………………….3
1.2 Objectives………………………………………………………….……………….....3
2. REVIEW OF LITERAURE…………………………………………………………....4-5
3. STUDY AREA………………………………………………………………………...6-8
4. DATA USED…………………………………………………………………………….9
4.1 Remote Sensing Data……………………………………………………………...9-10
4.2 Ancillary data………………………………………………………………………..11
4.3 Computer…………………………………………………………………………….11
4.4 Softwares Used………………………………………………………………………11
5. METHODOLOGY……………………………………………………………………...12
5.1 Classification and Mapping………………………………………………………….12
5.2 Satellite Image Interpretation………………………………………………………..12
5.3 Ground Truth Collection and Data Validation………………………………………13
5.4 Geo-database Creation………………………………………………………………14
5.5 Geo-tagging of Field Photographs…………………………………………………..15
5.6 Database Organization………………………………………………………………15
5.7 Spatial Statistics Generation……………………………………………………..16-17
6. RESULTS………………………………………………………………………………18
6.1 Spatial Distribution of Major LULC Categories in Kumbh Mela Kshetra,
Haridwar......................................................................................................................18-20
6.2 Spatial Distribution of Road Network in Kumbh Mela Kshetra, Haridwar……..21-22
6.3 Spatial Distribution of Drainage System in Kumbh Mela Kshetra, Haridwar…..23-24
6.4 Spatial Distribution of Basic Amenities in Kumbh Mela Kshetra, Haridwar…...25-26
7. CONCLUSION: ……………………………………………………………………….27
8. REFERENCES: ………………………………………………………………………..28
1. INTRODUCTION
The present dissertation is concerned with the “Geospatial database creation for Kumbh
Mela area, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India”

Kumbh Mela (the celebration of the holy Pitcher) is the biggest serene gathering of pilgrims,
held in India. During this celebration, members cleanse themselves in the holy river Ganga
(UNESCO 2017). This section centres around the city of Haridwar (Uttarakhand), one of the
four Indian urban areas that host the festival. During the last Kumbh Mela in 2010, Haridwar
facilitated the Purna Kumbh mela from Makar Sankranti (14 January 2010) to Vaishakh
Purnima Snan (28 April 2010). On 14 April 2010, alone around 10 million individuals bathe
in the Ganges river in Haridwar. According to authorities by mid-April around 40 million
individuals had bathed, on the edge of the Himalayas. The times of festivals are determined
by astrological factors, particularly the location of Jupiter, which takes about twelve years to
pass across the zodiac. At each location, the holiest moment is based on specific sun and
moon positions, and there are subsidiary bathing days concentrated around the main day of
bathing.

In the present time, the development of culture is so advanced by the use of GIS and Remote
Sensing technology, which makes a cultural zone a centre for both social and economic,
Political also. GIS and Remote Sensing Technologies are used to design a city plan and also
helping to forecast Futuristic scenario of the city, in terms of Geospatial development,
Architectural planning, cultural promotion Industry and the development of infrastructure.
For example, many of the places in India are anciently connected with a particular type of
culture, such as Haridwar, Nashik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Banaras, etc. Most of them are
connected to the Hindu festivals and fairs. One of the most popular Hindu fair is a Kumbh
Mela, a very unique identity for the millions of people gathered in one point of time and
space. Festivals can thus help to make sense of where people are by understanding the tales
and intangible facets of community life. Crouch (1999) notes the importance of photography
as a way of researching social engagement in specific places. It makes sense of space, person
and collective links to festivals as a leisure activity may Show what Crouch (1999) defines as
one way in which people practise space.

Kumbh Mela: Held at all four places.

Ardha Kumbh Mela: Held at Haridwar and Prayag, every 6 years

1
Purna Kumbh Mela: Held only at Prayag every 12 years

Maha Kumbh Mela: Held only at Prayag, every 144 years

The celebration is known as the "world’s biggest assemblage of spiritual pilgrims". There is
no scientific way of knowing the number of pilgrims, and the approximates of the number of
pilgrims bathing on the most sacred day may be different; approximately 120 million people
attended the latest 2019 Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, which was held at Triveni Sangam in
Allahabad, Uttarapradesh from 15 January to 4th March 2019.

In the present time, the development of culture is so advanced by the use of Remote Sensing
and GIS technology, which makes a cultural zone a centre for both social and economic,
Political even, since GIS and Remote Sensing Technologies are designing a city plan and also
helping to forecast Futuristic scenario of the city, in terms of Geospatial development,
Architectural planning, cultural promotion Industry and the development of infrastructure.
For example, many of the places in India are anciently connected with a particular type of
culture, such as Haridwar, Nashik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Banaras, etc. Most of them are
connected to the Hindu festivals and fairs, and one of the most popular Hindu festivals.
Religion is a Kumbh Mela, a very unique identity for the millions of people gathered. In one
point of time and space, together. Festivals can thus help to make sense of where people are
by understanding the tales and intangible facets of community life. Crouch (1999:260) notes
the importance of photography as a way of researching social engagement in specific places.
It makes sense of space. Person and collective links to festivals as a leisure activity may
Show what Crouch (1999:257) defines as one way in which people practise space.

2
1.1 Scope of the Work
Application of innovative techniques for Event Management through Geospatial Database for
effective and efficient management of Mega Events like Kumbh requires unswerving efforts,
sound management planning, managerial strategies coupled with timely implementations by
the Central Government, State Governments, Local Administrations, concerning agencies and
other stake holders. This event requires the adequate management of housing, commutation
(Transport Management), feeding and sanitation (Pollution Control & Health Management),
security, Crowd Management, Crime Management, deployment of trained manpower
involving millions of people. This may enable the planners, policy makers and administrator
to identify and measure the key factors associated with experiencing, regulating, and
managing mega events.

1.2 Objectives

• To create Geospatial database of Kumbh Mela Kshetra by generating multi-thematic

layers of Kumbh Mela Kshetra
o Land Use/Land cover (LULC) map
o Road Network
o Drainage System
o Basic Amenities

3
2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Due to the influx of millions of pilgrims, Kumbh Mela is always prone to man-made
disasters. Mehrotra and Vera (2015) listed the disaster risks at Kumbh in their book 'Kumbh
Mela: Mapping the Ephemeral Megacity.' They observe that wet and slippery bathing ghats
pose a risk of disaster. If there is a ghat tragedy, there is a chain reaction, and people will be
dragged in. There is also a risk of bottleneck stamping where the input end is much smaller
than the output end. Since India's independence, the Kumbh Mela stampede of 1954 has been
the deadliest, with an estimated 1,000 deaths. The 2003 Kumbh Mela stampede killed 39
people in the town of Nashik, and seven were killed during the 2010 Kumbh Mela in
Haridwar. Most recently, in 2013 Kumbh of Allahabad, 42 people were killed and 45 were
injured as a result of the stampede. In order to shield pilgrims and visitors from the stampede,
close attention to detail, the model and geospatial arrangement of services and equipment
must be dynamically laid out in response to ground-level input from the customers. In this
sense, the approach explores how geospatial technology can be used to chart the geospatial
distribution of facilities and services offered at Kumbh in order to prevent man-made
disasters such as a stampede.

Mehrotra (2015) with a team from Harvard University has investigated and documented the
large-scale Allahabad Kumbh Mela of 2013 with the participation of approximately 34
million, monitored from its preparation stage to the actual celebrations.

In order to satisfy this need, information and communication technology has long been used
to preserve and improve cultural heritage, especially when dealing with large monumental
complexes and, in particular, tourist yields. Apollonio et al. (2017) lists the campaigns
conducted in Italy to register and assist in the maintenance of the conservation of cultural
resources. Hadjimitsis et al. (2013) used remote sensing and GIS to investigate the natural
and anthropogenic threats of cultural heritage in Cyprus. Brovelli et al. (2013) described how
NASA’s World Wind virtual globe can be formed to raise understanding of cultural heritage
and in turn improve tourism experience. Through these examples, we get a sense of how the
web-based GIS was used to create vast databases. GIS can use 2D geometric information
(vector data), alphanumeric information (text records, hypertext and semi-structured text in
different categories, external data attached to device forms) and raster images as a reference
background, Such data storage is suitable for managing spaces, as noted, It also helps to
identify regions where authorities need to focus their planning efforts.

4
Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (2013) studied the details of operational planning
of Allahabad Kumbh Mela and captured the best practices that could be adopted by other
states and countries all over the world for planning any mass gatherings. National Remote
Sensing Centre (ISRO) & Uttarakhand Space Application Centre (2011) combinedly
developed a methodology for estimating pilgrims present in Kumbh area on an auspicious
day in 2010 Haridwar Kumbh Mela. The integrated data from space-based remote sensing
technology and ground-based data for estimating the number of pilgrims. Various works
(Mehrotra, 2015; NDMA, 2014; Sindhuja, 2015; Jeffrey Tubbs, 2007; Rani, 2017; Sultan,
2015; M Devi Anju, 2016; Hanna, 1994; BSDMA, 2013) abetted to understand the
management of mass gatherings and derived useful recommendations for event organizing
and safe crowd management.

To date, Geospatial technology has been applied to Kumbh Mela of Haridwar by Sindhuja
Kasthala et al. (2019) to assess crowd management and conserve cultural heritage tourism.
To do so, the first approach discusses the use of GIS technology to evaluate the universal
accessibility of ghats in the Haridwar area. Since pilgrimage in the Hindu tradition is always
seen as a form of penitence, and even today it is imposed as punishment or relief for offences,
persons with disabilities and elderly people are a significant part of pilgrims at Kumbh mela.
In this context, the universal availability of the Kumbh Mela host cities must be reviewed. In
this research, GIS is used to assess the accessibility status of bathing ghats in Haridwar City
that experience the maximum number of visitors during the event.

5
3. STUDY AREA
The study area of the Kumbh Mela Kshetra, Haridwar is located between 78°1'28.63"E 29°
55' 2.12" N to 78° 19' 55.17" E 30° 8' 6.82" N and 78° 1' 30.62" E 29° 55' 34.38" N to 78° 11'
59.16" E 29° 50' 23.427"N with an altitude of approx. 190 to 493 m. from the sea level and
situated in the southwestern portion of the state of Uttarakhand, India. Kumbh Mela Kshetra,
Haridwar covered in four districts- Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri and Pauri Garhwal of
Uttarakhand, covering an area of 15484.88 ha with 50 villages/habitations and attracts
millions of tourists per year and specially during Kumbh mela events. The area, home to
spiritual societies and ashrams, is also attracting a large number of people through its
industrial growth. The unprecedented influx of tourists during Kumbh Mela causes severe
stress on infrastructure and natural resources in this whole area.

Uttarakhand Space Application Centre (USAC), Dehradun has undertaken ‘Geospatial

Mapping and Database creation for easy accessibility of various Resources’ of the Kumbh
Mela Kshetra, Haridwar including various infrastructure and cultural heritage sites including
religious sites such as Temples, Ashrams, Ghats and Holy Rivers. Har-ki-Pairi is one of the
holiest places on the Earth, the ancient ghat is of utmost significance in Sanatana Dharma.
The registered society carries out its conservation tasks and Ganga Aarti in the evenings.
Notable ghats in Haridwar besides Har-ki-Pairi are Vishwakarma Chat, Alaknanda Ghat,
Subhash Ghat, Malviya Ghat, Birla Ghat,Vishnu Ghat, Ram Ghat, Hanuman Ghat, Kusha
Ghat, Gau Ghat. Other public and commercial buildings such as Police Stations, Hospitals,
Clinic Centres, Medical store, Schools and Colleges, Hotels, Restaurants, Banks ATMs,
Public Toilets (Sulabh and Govt. Shauchalayas), Fire Stations, Railway and Bus Stations and
others are also took into consideration.

The study area has minimal spatial expansion due to hills and reserved forests in the north-
west and south-east, and the river flowing from the north-east to the south (City Growth Plan:
Haridwar. Updated under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission
(JNNURM), 2007). The plan is linear around the key corridor of the city within the municipal
boundaries. Old areas are witnessing high-density unplanned growth without adequate
utilities and a road hierarchy. The lack of available parking areas, narrow lanes, unplanned
commercial establishments in ghat areas, traffic junctions, etc. are causing serious traffic
jams, roadblocks and hindrance to pedestrians.

6
The whole new custom city dwells along the river bed during Kumbh Mela to make it easier
for tourists coming from all over India and other places around the world. The officials are
often challenged to provide required necessities for tourists, shelter, roads, electricity,
sanitation and hospitals, thus constructing a "temporary city." The Mela area stretches from
Haridwar to Rishikesh and has been divided into 41 sectors and adjacent areas of Laxman
Jhula. Which is shown in fig.3.1 Much of the sector areas are in the floodplains, while a
handful are in the open areas of the commercial and suburban communities. Residential
shelters may be given to pilgrims in the sector zones, but the accessibility and availability of
these facilities is always uncertain.

Figure 3.1 Location Map of Study Area

Total 40 Sectors defined with the help of GIS application to promote efficiency and
availability of the amenities to ease the handling of mass gathering of pilgrims:

7
Table 3.1 List of Sectors in Kumbh Mela Kshetra, Haridwar

S.No. Sector Name S.No. Sector Name

1. Bahadarabad 21. Rodi

2. Jwalapur 22. Belwala

3. Ranipur 23. Laaljiwala

4. Shivalik Nagar 24. Har-ki-Pairi

5. Kankhal 25. Kangra Dweep

6. Jagjeetpur 26. Pantdweep

7. Haddipur Tapu 27. Bheemgoda

8. Mayapur 28. Bhupatwala

9. Mansa Devi 29. Motichoor

10. Haridwar 30. Saptsarovar-1

11. Bairagi Camp 31. Saptsarovar-2

12. Satidweep + Naya Tapu 32. Raiwala

13. Dakshdweep 33. Sayampur-2

14. Devpura Athmal 34. Rishikesh

15. Gaurishankar-1 35. Chandrabhaga

16. Gaurishankar-2 36. Munikireti

17. Neeldhara 37. Tapovan

18. Chandi Devi 38. Laxman Jhula

19. Kangri 39. Swargashram

20. Shyampur 40. Chilla

8
4. DATA USED
4.1 Remote Sensing Data

Google earth satellite data as well as ancillary information were used to derive information on
multi-thematic layers. Google earth satellite data of 2019 was used to derive information on
the spatial variability of different land use/land cover categories, road network, drainage
system and sector boundary etc. Google Earth Satellite imagery provide data in true colour,
with 1m spatial resolution. Specification of satellite data is given in Table 4.1. The spatial
resolution is suitable for 1:2K scale mapping. The entire Kumbh mela kshetra is covered in 4
scenes (Table 4.1 & Fig. 4.1). The multi-thematic datasets were geo-referenced with UTM
projection and WGS 84 datum.

Table 4.1 Specifications of Google Earth Satellite Data

No. of Bands 4

Spectral Bands (μ) Blue: 430 - 545 nm

Green: 466 - 620 nm
Red: 590 - 710 nm
Near infrared: 715 - 918 nm

Resolution(m.) Panchromatic : 0.55 m

Digitalglobe

Quickbird

Multispectral : 2.16 m

Swath (Km.) 14.9 km swath at nadir

Revisit (Days) 2-12 days

Data Rate (Mbps X-band) 320

Quantisation 11 bit

Coordinate System (converted) UTM, Zone 44,

Datum- WGS 1984

9
10
Figure 4.1 Overview of the part of Kumbh Mela Kshetra as seen in the Google earth data
4.2 Ancillary data

In the preparation of multi-thematic layers- land use/land cover, road/railway, settlement,

drainage and other maps the ancillary data in the form of topographic/GIS maps of Kumbh
Mela Kshetra, Haridwar and any other published relevant material were used as reference
data. Survey of India digital topographic maps on 1:50K scale and google earth data have
also been used for identification of base features and for planning ground data collection. The
base details viz., administrative boundaries (state, district, tehsil and sector boundary) were
taken from available sources. Similarly, available ancillary information on different themes
was generated earlier has also been used as a reference during delineation of various classes.

4.3 Computer

For robust handling and timely accomplishment of the steps involved image analysis, the
following minimum standard hardware configuration is required.

• Processor : minimum of 3.30 GHZ Intel I-3 make or equivalent processor

• Disc space : minimum of 500 GB
• RAM : minimum of 4 GB
• Display size : At least 19” monitor

4.4 Software(s) Used

• ArcGIS 10.6.1: ArcGIS 10.6.1 software was used for generation of multi-thematic
layers and for composition and generation of maps.
• ERDAS IMAGINE 2018: In this study ERDAS IMAGINE 2018 was applied in
importing images, image processing/rectification and Geo-referencing.
• Microsoft Office 2019: for database preparation, documentation and report writing.

11
5. METHODOLOGY
The methodology involves satellite data preparation, preliminary interpretation, ground truth
collection, map preparation, quality checking of final maps and database organization as per
NNRMs standards. The broad approach is depicted in the flowchart (Figure 5.8).

5.1 Classification and Mapping

For this study Google Earth data of the period January 2019 was used for image
classification. High-resolution Google Earth imageries have been downloaded and pre-
processed for removing texture variations. The spatial resolution of the image is 1m. Arc GIS
10.6.1Software was used for classification.

Visual interpretation classification procedure has been applied to generate land use/land
cover along with roads, settlements, rivers. It is the most straightforward, accurate and valid
technique for multi-thematic mapping. Certain features have similar spectral characteristics
and reflectance values with other land use/land cover. The base layers such as administrative
and forest boundaries were consulted and used after appropriate transformations were
applied. The supplemental GIS data layers were only used as a guide to help in identification
and interpretation of various LULC categories.

Advantages for visual interpretation approaches used for multi-thematic mapping are as
following:

• Context /Texture/Pattern based classes were delineated

• Various enhancement options have been used to exploit the capability of
multiband/multi season data.
• Minimized the issues of sensor radiometry and date of pass
• Temporal assessment was time effective
• Adoptability and operational feasibility were high
5.2 Satellite Image Interpretation

The GIS vector layers created using Google Earth satellite imagery of 2019. The land
use/land cover analysis has been attempted based on features of the area consisting of built-
up area, agriculture land, camping area, parking, forest, plantation, open spaces and water
bodies. ERDAS image processing and ArcGIS software were used to classify the land
use/land cover, roads, drainage network and basic amenities of the area.

12
5.3 Ground Truth Collection and Data Validation

Ground truth/field verification is an important component in mapping and its validation

exercise. A detailed GPS based field survey of basic amenities- drinking water, hospitals,
ATMs, Banks, Ashrams, Ghat locations, roads, drainage, various feature classes has been
carried out in the entire Kumbh Mela Kshetra, Haridwar.

Chowk Waterbody

Proposed Parking Proposed Camping

Area Area

Bridge Proposed Camping

Area

Meeting with Kumbh Mela Officials at Kumbh Mela

Office
Figure 5.1 Field Data Collection using GPS

13
All the classification results controlled with a field study or Ground truth observations to
obtain the accuracy of the final data. The doubtful classes/areas in the doubtful classes/areas
and areas in the database were verified on the ground for improving the accuracy of
interpretation.

5.4 Geo-database Creation

Geo-database consists of vector data on various layers and an associated metadata, which
describes the data content. The outputs are stored in UTM/Albers projection system using
WGS84 datum.

Figure 5.2 Land Use/Land Cover Layer Generation using ArcGIS

Figure 5.3 Road Network Layer Generation using ArcGIS

14
5.5 Geo-tagging of Field Photographs

Field photographs of basic amenities with major land features and various categories of land
use/land cover tagged into the thematic maps in ArcGIS. Theme wise maps have been
generated on 1:2K scale.

5.6 Database Organization

All the databases were first checked for errors across inter-sector borders so that data gaps
and overlaps are eliminated amongst the datasets of different sectors. The land use feature
classes are also matched across these boundaries to maintain the data continuity and to
facilitate generation of a seamless dataset for the entire mela kshetra.

Figure 5.5 & 5.6 Data Validation using Google Earth

15
 Figure 5.7 Map Composition using ArcMap

A simple, temporary topological relationships created between features and geodatabase has
been edited in ArcGIS. Many topology rules were implemented in the geodatabase,
depending on the spatial relationships that are most important to maintain for this study.
Topology rules can be defined between subtypes of features in one or another feature class.
Many topology rules can be imposed on features in a geodatabase. A well-designed
geodatabase will have only those topology rules that define key spatial relationships needed
by a project. National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS) spatial framework
has been used to create seamless data.

5.7 Spatial Statistics Generation

The sector boundary layer provided by Kumbh Mela Office was used for extracting the
spatial statistics for individual sector and aggregated at mela kshetra level. The area statistics
on various themes classes (category-wise and sector-wise at mela kshetra level; and category-
wise at individual sector level) were generated and presented in the tables.

16
 Google Earth
Satellite Data (2019)

Image
Enhancement Data Processing Geo-rectification

Classification
On Screen Visual
Scheme
Interpretation

Ground Truth
Thematic Maps Collection
Generation
• LULC
Non-spatial/
• Road Network
Attribute Data • Drainage
• Basic Amenities

Accuracy Assessment
through Ground
Validation

Geo-database
Creation

Map Template

Map Area
Outputs Report Statistics

Colour/Symbol

Figure 5.8 Flow Diagram for Geo-database Creation

17
6. RESULTS
6.1 Spatial Distribution of Major LULC Categories in Kumbh Mela
Kshetra, Haridwar

The mela kshetra has a total resource base of 15484.00 ha, which primarily consists of
agriculture, built up area, camping sites, forests, open space, parking, proposed parking,
riverine sand, scrub land and waterbodies. Based on the 2019 satellite data interpretation, out
of the total resource base 4323.76 ha that accounts for more than 27 percent of the regional
resource base is constituted by built-up, followed by 2507.76 ha under agriculture land,
2128.89 ha is under forest cover, 1725.48 ha is amounting as water bodies and 597.47 ha is
identified as camping site of total resource base (Table 6.1, Figure 6.1 & 6.2.).

Table 6.1 Area Estimates of Major LULC Categories in Kumbh Mela Kshetra, Haridwar

S.No. Class Name Area (Ha) Area (%)

1 Agriculture 2507.76 16.19

2 Built-Up 4323.76 27.92

3 Camping Site 597.47 3.86

4 Forest 2128.89 13.75

5 Open Space 869.59 5.62

6 Parking 65.93 0.43

7 Plantation 624.09 4.03

8 Proposed Parking 5.66 0.04

9 Proposed Parking & Camping 63.98 0.41

10 Riverine Sand 1084.07 7.00

11 Scrub Land 1488.21 9.61

12 Waterbody 1725.48 11.14

Total 15484.88 100

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Figure 6.1 Graphical Representation of Major LULC Categories in Kumbh Mela
Kshetra, Haridwar
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Figure 6.2 Spatial Distribution of Major LULC Categories in Kumbh Mela
Kshetra, Haridwar
6.2 Spatial Distribution of Road Network in Kumbh Mela Kshetra,
Haridwar

The mela kshetra has a total road network length of 980.15 kms, which consists of National
Highway (NH), State Highway (SH), Major Road, Residential Road, Tertiary Road and
Pathway. Out of the total road network, 62.8 8km classified as NH, 4.40 Km is under SH is,
29.68km is under major roads, 669.78km is under residential roads, 138.84km is under
tertiary road and 74.58 km is classified under pathway (Table 6.2, Figure 6.3 & 6.4).

Table 6.2 Area Estimates of Road Order Categories in Kumbh Mela Kshetra, Haridwar

S.No. Category Road Length (Km) Road Length (%)

1. National Highway 62.88 6.42
2. State Highway 4.40 0.45
3. Major Road 29.68 3.03
4. Residential Road 669.78 68.33
5. Tertiary Road 138.84 14.16
6. Pathway 74.58 7.61
Total 980.15 100.00

Figure 6.3 Graphical Representation of Road Network in Kumbh Mela

Kshetra, Haridwar

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Figure 6.4 Spatial Distribution of Road Network in Kumbh Mela
Kshetra, Haridwar
6.3 Spatial Distribution of Drainage System in Kumbh Mela Kshetra,
Haridwar

The mela kshetra has a total drainage area of 1717.23 ha, which consists of Ganga River and
Canal. Also, entire drainage system has been categorized into 6 drainage orders (Table 6.3,
6.4 & Figure 6.5). Within a given drainage basin, stream order correlates well with other
basin parameters, such as drainage area or channel length. Consequently, knowing what order
a stream is can provide clues concerning other characteristics such as which longitudinal zone
it resides in and relative channel size and depth. In this regard the spatial baseline information
has been generated through terrain analysis and classification with morphogenetic approach
(Meijerink, 1988) using Remote Sensing data.

Table 6.3 Area Estimates of Drainage Order Categories in Kumbh Mela Kshetra, Haridwar

S.No. Drainage Type Area (ha)

1 Waterbody - Canal 1483.50

2 Waterbody - River 233.73

Total 1717.23

Table 6.4 Area Estimates of Drainage Order Categories in Kumbh Mela Kshetra, Haridwar

S.No. Drainage Order Drain Length (Km) Drain Length (%)

1 1 56.54 26.75

2 2 67.58 31.98

3 3 31.73 15.01

4 4 36.02 17.04

5 5 15.10 7.14

6 6 4.40 2.08

Total 211.36 100.00

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Figure 6.5 Spatial Distribution of Drainage System in Kumbh Mela Kshetra,
Haridwar
6.4 Spatial Distribution of Basic Amenities in Kumbh Mela Kshetra,
Haridwar

The mela kshetra has a vast number of basic amenities. A GPS based field survey has been
carried out to collect the geographical location of existing amenities (Table 6.5 & Figure 6.6).
Following are the major amenities locations collected from field-

Table 6.5 List of Basic Amenities in Mela Kshetra, Haridwar

S.No. Amenity S.No. Amenity

1 Ashram 11 Hotel

2 ATM 12 Medical Store

3 Bank 13 Police Station

4 Bus Stand 14 Popular Building

5 Clinic 15 Public Toilet

6 College 16 Railway Station

7 Fire Station 17 Religions Place

8 Ghat 18 Restaurant

9 Hospital 19 School

10 Hotel

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Figure 6.6 Spatial Distribution of Basic Amenities in Kumbh Mela
Kshetra, Haridwar
7. CONCLUSION

• The use of GIS and remote sensing has become an integrated, well-developed and
successful tool for Mapping, Planning, Designing and Implementation and it can act
as a Decision Support System (DSS) for the Kumbh Mela Planning.

• The study shows that there is a huge applicability of Remote Sensing and GIS in the
culture focused event of Maha Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. Also, Remote Sensing and
GIS technology is important for the developmental planning that gives the idea for
futuristic scenario.

• The GIS technology can further be used to do a large area survey whereby a complete
emergency plan with the help of network examination can be made with the help of
utility resource mapping.

• From the results it is observed that the visual interpretation method produced good
performance compared to digital classification. The prepared LULC map can be used
for identification of suitable sites for camping and parking sites in Kumbh Mela
Kshetra, Haridwar.

• Google Earth represents a powerful and attractive source of positional data that can be
used for land use/land cover mapping, investigation and preliminary studies with
suitable accuracy and low cost with high spatial resolution.

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