Government introduces national geospatial policy to promote startups, advanced technology

This 13-year guideline aims to promote the country’s geospatial data industry and develop a national framework for the use of such data, for example to improve citizen services.

The policy calls for the development of geospatial infrastructure, skills and knowledge, standards, businesses, etc., as well as the development of high-resolution topographical surveys and mapping and high-precision digital elevation models across the country by 2030. I am aiming.

“This policy takes it further by establishing a comprehensive framework for the overall development of the geospatial ecosystem. It aims to develop geospatial infrastructure, skills and knowledge, standards, businesses, foster innovation, and strengthen national and subnational arrangements for the generation and management of geospatial information.” the ministry said in a notice.

The policy aims to develop a national geospatial data framework and make data ‘easily available’ to businesses and the general public. By 2025, the government will “democratize data to support the liberalization of the geospatial sector and enhance its commodification through value-added services.”

The government also aims to improve the availability and access of “better location data” for businesses, including private sector organizations, by 2025.

The government aims to establish an integrated data and information framework in which a geospatial knowledge infrastructure (GKI) will be developed by 2030.

By 2035, geospatial data usage goals include mapping underground infrastructure in major cities and towns across India, and developing high-resolution, accurate bathymetric geospatial data (inland water resources and economics, shallow and deep sea topography). To support India’s ‘blue economy’.

To achieve these goals, the National Geospatial Policy details the establishment and promotion of a “geospatial data infrastructure” with a “well-defined management model and data supply chain.”

The policy also outlines the creation of a national-level apex agency, the Geospatial Data Promotion and Development Commission (GDPDC). This committee will provide details on the use of geospatial data in governance across specific ministries and enable development of private start-ups and companies. Work on a specific project.

It also promotes the use of the National Digital Twin, an ecosystem of high-definition data, to facilitate connected digital twins among private enterprises “through secure and interoperable data sharing.”

This policy details the development of 14 National Fundamental Sectoral Geospatial Data Themes. These themes are used to address different sectors supporting the development of commercial geospatial applications in different sectors such as disaster management, mining and forestry.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed the policy as a positive effort from the central government to develop India’s fledgling commercial geospatial applications and business ecosystem.

“There are enabling elements for the private sector, but there are many national programs participating in it. So far, geospatial technology has not been fully integrated into governance mechanisms because there is no framework.” said Chaitanya Giri, a consultant at the policy think tank Research Information Systems for Developing Countries (RIS).

Calling the institutional framework “the brightest part of the policy,” Giri said, “Initially, geospatial policy was envisioned as a fully private-sector enabling policy, but it is limited to just that. not.”

Anil Kumar, secretary general of the Satellite Industry Association of India (SIA), an industry group, called the policy progressive. “We are looking at the number of applications that governments need to provide governance from different ministries. There are over 500 geospatial applications that governments need in their governance procedures, and these are built under the new framework. Globally, the geospatial market is worth $17 billion, of which only the space economy is worth $15 billion,” he said.

Kumar added that India currently does not have enough commercial businesses to capture a significant piece of the industry pie.

However, the company says the policy encourages industry needs. Sajid Malik, chairman and managing his director of local mapping firm Genesis International, called the policy “a very positive move.”

“Looking at the use cases shows a clear governmental intent to promote such use cases, so the policy helps to track clients. It helps us develop advanced use cases and technologies, such as creating experiences.”

MapMyIndia chief executive Rohan Verma said the policy will help Indian companies to pursue commercial projects across the sector.