India to launch spatial data access in 2007

New Delhi, June 12: India will be ready with a "single window" for spatial (geographic location) data access through digital technology by the middle of 2007, which will revolutionise the entire planning process in the country.

''This will bring in a qualitative shift in the structure of our development activities,'' Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal told mediapersons here today.

As a demonstration project, the spatial data pertaining to the bustling Chandni Chowk area in the capital city would be available next month.

It would make available online, a clear sight of every nook and corner of the area with precision details regarding individual houses, roads and lanes, which would go a long way in keeping a watch on transport movements, crimes and so on.

Asked how the spatial data being developed by the Science and Technology ministry is different from the details provided by Google Earth which had kicked up a controversy, the Minister said, ''We will not include those details which are of our security concern.'' ''We are concerned about our own security, we are going to take care of it. We have certain maps which have already been cleared by the defence,'' Mr Sibal said.

He said as a model project, mapping was being done only for Chandni Chowk. The mapping of entire Delhi would cost nearly Rs 100 crore. ''We will give the technology developed by the ministry to the state governments to map their areas and also to the private players for use with value addition.'' ''We would be ready with the technology and we will make it available by middle of June. We will provide basic data and the users could add value to it,'' Mr Sibal said, pointing out that the infrastructure could be used to generate business activities worth Rs 2000 crore. ''This is the assessment for this product in the market.'' ''We would put the spatial data on the public domain. The users would be charged. But a policy has to be framed,'' he said.

Mr Sibal said a major challenge before the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), which was created recently for coordination, acquisition, processing, storage, distribution and improved utilisation of spatial (geographic location) data, was standardisation of data available with different agencies and avoiding duplication of data sets.

''This is sought to be achieved primarily by leveraging the data assets of major data generating agencies through the process of standardisation, creation of metadata and internet-enabled access,'' Science and Technology Secretary T Ramaswami, who was also present, said.

He said geographical information -- accurate and up-to-date -- is a critical input to any investment decision. ''Without this, decisions tend to be taken on subjective and extraneous considerations often leading to inefficient and wasteful spending of scarce resources.'' NSDI, which was approved by the Union Cabinet on June 2 this year, would synergise the work of all data producing agencies and minimise huge ''transaction costs'' now encountered by any potential user of spatial data.

He said India had an acknowledged superiority in the IT sector.

NSDI will facilitate extension of this advantage to the geospatial industry.

The National Spatial Data Committee (NSDC) would be headed by Science and Technology Minister, while the Executive Committee (EC) of the NSDI would be headed by the Surveyor General of India.

The day-to-today affairs of the NSDI would be looked after by a CEO and nine other staff.

UNI