New Delhi, October 13: Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space, launched the cutting-edge National Survey Network. This state-of-the-art nationwide “Continuously Operating Reference Stations” (CORS) Network will be overseen by the Survey of India.
Dr. Jitendra Singh proudly declared, “India now boasts a world-class Precise Location-based service capable of providing centimeter-level positioning services in real-time.” The Survey of India has established over 1,000 CORS stations across the country, all of which can deliver centimeter-level positioning services in real-time.
He emphasized that this development means “Indian data for Indian solutions,” aligning with the government’s growth-oriented initiatives such as SVAMITVA, PM-Gati Shakti, Smart Cities, AMRUT, Bharatmala, Sagarmala, National Hydrology Project, and various infrastructural and developmental projects. These projects require high-accuracy mapping and positioning data, and the deregulation of the Geospatial Sector has made such data accessible to different user groups.
In addition to the Geospatial sector, CORS-based precision services will revolutionize auto navigation and machine control in agriculture, mining, construction, transport, and civil aviation sectors, fostering innovation and research in these domains.
CORS data will also support scientific studies in upper atmosphere and space weather, meteorology, weather forecasting, plate motion, tectonic studies, seismology, hydrology, and more. These nationwide CORS-based services will be available to businesses and the public, ensuring coherence in geospatial data generated by various stakeholders and enhancing productivity.
Dr. Jitendra Singh commended the government, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, for its focus on science and technology, fostering innovation, and providing an environment conducive to progress.
He highlighted the significance of the Geospatial Guidelines of 2021 and the National Geospatial Policy 2022 (NGP 2022) in transforming the geospatial sector in India, making it a crucial player in India’s journey toward becoming a global economic powerhouse. The NGP 2022 aims to create a national framework and facilitate easy access to geospatial data collected through public funds for businesses and the public.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also noted that governance reforms initiated by Prime Minister Modi have brought transparency, citizen-centricity, and zero tolerance for corruption to the forefront, with a conscious effort to use science and technology to improve the quality of life for every household.
During the event, Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated a stakeholder conference for Ortho rectified Image (ORI) and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and felicitated the winners of the Geospatial hackathon, conducted by the Survey of India in partnership with IIIT Hyderabad and Microsoft Inc.
