The Government has announced liberalised guidelines for geo-spatial data.  The government has taken a historic decision by liberalizing the geo-spatial guidelines and this will lead to a Rs 1 lakh crore Geo-Spatial economy, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare, said yesterday at a media briefing.

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region; Prime Minister's Office; Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space; Professor Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST and  Shri Sunil Kumar, Joint Secretary, DST, were also present on the occasion.

“The next generation of technologies will use hyper-resolution maps.  Availability of comprehensive, highly accurate, granular and constantly updated representation of Geospatial Data will significantly benefit diverse sectors of the economy and will significantly boost innovation in the country and greatly enhance the preparedness of the country for emergency response  The availability of data and modern mapping technologies to Indian companies is also crucial for achieving the vision of AtmaNirbharBharat and a five trillion-dollar economy,” Vardhan said that with the advent of publicly available geospatial services, a lot of Geospatial Data that used to be in restricted zone are freely and commonly available now and some of the policies/guidelines that used to regulate such information have been rendered obsolete and redundant”.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State (IC) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Singh said that the Centre has taken a historic decision to completely deregulate Geospatial Map-making and unshackle the Geospatial sector in India for the first time. He said that the decision is an extension of a series of visionary reforms undertaken in the Space sector. He pointed out that today’s announcement heralds the unlocking of geo-mapping from restrictive use to wider use in the interest of nation building and creating an AtmaNirbhar Bharat.

Singh also invited lndian businesses to take lead and utilize the opportunities being thrown open for the making of Atmanirbhar Bharat. He said, the collaborative efforts from industry, academia and Government will make India a World leader in Geospatial knowledge. The Minister urged all sections to grab the opportunity and fulfil the aspirations of the nation to become a five trillion-dollar economy.

Secretary, DST, Professor Ashutosh Sharma said, the new guidelines will be “Stimulating and empowering INDIAN industry and Surveying Agencies without diluting security concerns.  Atmanirbharta in Geospatial products and solutions, will be a one lakh crore business by 2030 plus economic impact through development”.