The Department of Science and Technology (DST) with Survey of India (SOI) has launched SOI Online Maps and Data Portal and Sarthi: Web GIS.
India has multiple national-level geospatial policies and rules distributed among ministries/departments, apart from that there are many barriers in terms of collecting, generating, sharing and updating geospatial data for India’s territory. For decades India has been dependent upon external agencies for geospatial data procurement.
Taking a landmark step towards liberalization of geospatial data acquisition and simplifying cumbersome certification and license process, on 15 February, 2021 the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India (GoI) announced new geospatial guidelines for acquiring and producing geospatial data and services including maps and data. The guidelines have paved way for democratization of geospatial data generated out of public funds and envisage evolution of a new geospatial ecosystem, anchored by Indian companies, which makes substantive contribution to vision of five trillion dollar economy.
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In order to give more access of geospatial data and development of services and applications related to it, DST with Survey of India (SOI) on 17 August 2021, launched two portals. Around 4000+ maps and digital products of SOI have been catalogued and uploaded in the portal called “SOI Online Maps and Data Portal”. The other portal “Sarthi: Web GIS” is an advanced form of Geographical Information System (GIS), where exchange of information between a server and a client can take place with ease through mobile application, desktop application and web browser.
SOI Online Maps and Data Portal
Earlier to obtain a map from SOI, user had to register through the Aadhar card followed by old business rules and procedures like manual filling of forms and uploading, licensing agreement with user and approved by SOI. Over all the process was time consuming and difficult for users.
With the start of online maps portal, the user will no longer have to visit the service in physical offices, they can easily purchase and download products online. This online portal with rich repository of map and functional for easy use has integrated digital payment facility through ballot push payment gateway of GoI.
Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST, GoI, sees these launches as historic events “for the first time geospatial data collected by SOI is being made available for the citizens of India to make use of them, unlike any other country in the world. These maps in the form of Atlas and in the form of thematic layers are so valuable and so painstakingly collected over decades so that decision making will be easier and all the geospatial stakeholders can benefit by it.”
He echoed the thoughts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Atmanirbhar Bharat, and said, “by liberalizing the geospatial data and by democratizing it, it directly puts impact on the economy. If we just look at the business of surveying and mapping, it is estimated to grow to INR 1 Lakh crore ($15.38 billion approx.) by 2029-30. But indirect impact on economy is much, much bigger than that, whether it is for planning, whether it is for governance, whether it is for any implementing of the infrastructure projects and going forward in the future service, it becomes all the more important for the development of the country who have geospatial data.”
Sarthi: Web GIS
Sarthi is a WebGIS application which utilizes the new advancements in web application development and has incorporated various GIS tools like spatial data visualization, manipulation, analysis, audit trail and map versioning etc., and will be easily accessible to the user with less utilization of resources at the client’s end. The application can be useful in generating data for land information system especially for SVAMITVA data validation process. It can be accessed in vernacular languages as well as it reduces the need to create custom application. It provides a platform for integrating GIS with other business systems and enables cross-organizational collaboration in consonance with new geospatial policy.
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Sunil Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology said, “Everything have been liberalized now. Anybody in this country, including individuals, businesses, Academician, or government agencies, they are free to do all kinds of collection of data, utilization of data, development of services and applications using that data. So these are good times for this sector in our country. In fact, the SOI being the National Mapping Agency, has a veritable repository of data in terms of all kinds of maps and other geospatial data about the country.”
The government agencies can get the data for free, and use it in various applications in various government departments, such as disaster management and SVAMITVA scheme. By using this portal, all the private entities, all the enterprises, can access the data on a fair price, and the transparency of the entire process will give a boost to the creativity of the bright minds amongst the youth of this nation, Sharma concluded.
