A large trigonometrical survey of stations in Tamil Nadu documented, published in five volumes

The Department of Survey and Settlement and the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archeology documented the Great Trigonometric Survey (GTS) stations in the state and published the documentation in five volumes.

According to official publication during British rule, Colonel William Lambton started on Mount St. Thomas at Chennai 10 April 1802 The Great Trigonometrical Survey. The survey continued for 70 years until 1871 using theodolite instruments. As part of the exercise, Great Trigonometric Survey stations were set up across India, including several locations in Tamil Nadu. These stations are under the jurisdiction of the Survey of India.

The Government of Tamil Nadu has given permission for a comprehensive exercise to identify all GTS stations in the state, conduct surveys, map and document them and take steps to preserve them. The initiative also aims to facilitate future modern surveying activities in the state by utilizing the geo-coordinates of these stations.

Accordingly, officials from the Department of Survey and Settlement and TNSDA jointly conducted an extensive field survey, identified all the GTS stations in Tamil Nadu and documented their details.

Based on their documentation, they published five volumes titled “Documentation of Major Trigonometric Stations in Tamil Nadu”. To ensure maintenance of GTS stations in the districts, the Director of Survey and Settlement has circulated bundles to the District Collectors and District Officers of the Survey Department, the report added.

Published – 12 Nov 2026 02:12 IST