Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Jitendra Singh has stated that the “Troika” of Space, Drone, and Geospatial policies will elevate India as a leading technological power in a few years from now. Dr. Singh noted that the government’s decision to open the space sector for private participation, issue liberalized guidelines for geospatial data, and approve the geospatial policy were game-changing decisions.
Dr. Singh emphasized that geospatial technology would be a significant instrument of change for India in the 21st century. Apart from generating massive revenue, it will also create huge employment opportunities. According to one industry estimate, the Indian geospatial economy employed approximately 500,000 people in 2021, spread across user industries, government services, and export services. It is anticipated that this number will exceed one million by the year 2025.
Dr. Singh believes that India is on the verge of a geospatial revolution, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. By 2030, India could become a $10 trillion economy if there is a healthy synergy between government, industry, and the scientific community, resulting in a tremendous boost in economic output.
Geospatial information plays a vital role in sectors such as agriculture, environment protection, power, water, transportation, communication, and health. Dr. Singh stressed that the private sector would be crucial in strengthening the geospatial infrastructure of the nation. Actual collection and collation of data and development of data themes should be increasingly done with private sector participation, consistent with geospatial guidelines.
The minister emphasized that citizens’ needs and requirements related to various geospatial/location-based solutions should be predominantly serviced by the private sector, with Survey of India and nodal ministries & agencies of various geospatial data themes in a facilitative role.
The private sector must play a critical role in creating and maintaining geospatial and mapping infrastructures, innovations and process improvements, and monetization of geospatial data. The troika of space, drone, and geospatial policies will undoubtedly propel India as a pre-eminent technological power.
