When Survey of India (SoI) had the basic role of meeting Defence needs of mapping, it fulfilled this national commitment with flying colours. Defence and Security agencies primarily depend on the topographical maps in every activity of planning their strategy. SoI has the vision and mandate to provide reliable and accurate geo spatial data to the stake holders, at affordable costs, keeping the national security in consideration. SoI has a very proactive role in the planned development, in building a modern India. The National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) mandates SoI to take a leadership role in providing spatial data and solutions to the stake holders and SoI is equipped to meet these challenges.

Yes. Restructuring of SoI, has been an on-going process. In a fast changing technological world, the restructuring cannot be a one time affair. The need for the spatial data and related solutions is being felt in the effective and economical developmental planning process. SoI, while meeting these demands, would also foster the growth of the geospatial industry. To achieve these objectives, SoI will have to continuously adopt change in its approach while addressing these issues. The present exercise has been done taking a holistic approach, involving adopting of new technologies, change in work process, human resource development and skill set upgradation. This is a continuous process. The immediate proposal is already in advanced stage of approval.

We have come a long way in formulating the concept of NSDI. Considering the requirements to make it a reality, we have achieved quite a bit in a short time. Very fact that major participating stake holders have been able to sit together and discuss the issues in a common platform, is in itself a great achievement. Many government agencies have come forward and committed their resources and information, to the NSDI domain. It is the industry, which is not coming up with the anticipated response. Probably, industry finds the concept of NSDI as a danger to their individual agenda/ interest/ monopoly. However, I feel, industry has a very important role in the long term become benefi ciaries of NSDI.

All have certain commitments. May be that is the reason, they could not participate in the last workshop. Space has been playing a very important role in formulation of NSDI and I am sure they will continue to do so in future also.

Criticisms help in formulating policies and taking corrective measures as
we move forward. Realising the importance of the spatial data for planning, National Map Policy (NMP), has been formulated. The role of the SoI, in development planning has been identified and acknowledged, in greater detail, in the NMP. This will certainly help in building a nationally connected common framework, which will have consistency. This is bare minimum necessity, in the context of NSDI. The SoI, as the framework spatial data provider, can facilitate, quick growth of the Geospatial industry, for value addition and providing solutions. Strength of the SoI is the faith the users repose on the quality and accuracy of the information provided by it. With the increased use of spatial data, in the day to day activities of common man, the role and importance of the
SoI, will naturally be enhanced. We are quite comfortable with it and will work with greater vigor.

The guidelines for implementation of NMP and bringing out Open Series Maps has been just approved, and is in the official website. Data is ready for providing to the users. We are in the process of updating the framework spatial data. Already existing data in digital form is being provided to many users. Hard copy maps will be brought out shortly, may be, the maps will start rolling from the press before end of February. The first OSM has already been released last month.

As I understand there are more than 6 lakhs GPS of various categories available in the country. They vary in accuracy standards from millimeters to meters. At this stage, to impose restriction on their usage will not serve any purpose. However the government should monitor the various users who are procuring precise GPS receivers Coordinates February 2006 7 that are to be used in sensitive locations/areas . To my knowledge at present there are no restrictions for usage of GPS in this country.

There is an instruction or law that a license is required for using any instrument that uses radio frequency. However, as regards GPS, we understand that for procuring GPS there is no license required. But for GPS like RTK (Real Time Kinematic) GPS which uses UHF frequency through a modem, a license is needed for its use. However in general, the law has not been enforced, though it exists on paper.

The present Indian Geodetic Datum, which is based on locally best fitting ellipsoid, ie., Everest, is being transformed to a geocentric reference frame, based on WGS 84 ellipsoid. There are three different ways in which you can do this:
(a) One can use the transformation parameters, ie., from Everest to WGS-84.
(b) Transformation from Ellipsoid to Ellipsoid after readjusting the Indian Datum.
(c) To come up with a newly observed coordinate system in Geocentric frame.

As regards approach (a), we have already computed the transformation parameters which we are already using for transforming existing topographical maps to Open Series Maps based on WGS-84. For approach (b) the adjustment of Geodetic network, in Everest Datum, have been completed in two dimensions. We are planning to add some more accurate GPS bases, before transforming them to Geocentric Coordinate System, something similar to Northern American Datum 27 to Northern American Datum 83 coordinate as done in the United States of America.

As regards approach (c) SoI has plans already to set up a GCP library with 300 precise control points with monuments and fencing etc, and 2200 points as secondary points. These control points will be provided in
TRF reference frame, so that future satellite missions are also taken into
account. However, this approach will take considerable time for adoption.

New initiatives have been taken for redefining our vertical datum. The heights will be based on geopotential number and Helmert Orthometric Heights. The first stage includes 40 thousands linear km of fresh leveling( fore and back). The project has already begun with the first line from Kolkata to Malda leveling work already in progress. We have already procured 30 Digital levels and also plan to outsource the work to engineering students to complete the job in time. We are aiming to complete this gigantic task by Dec 2007.

The SoI is in the process of procuring a FG5 Absolute Gravimeter for setting up absolute base stations. Five numbers of CG5 Relative Gravimeters with microgal accuracies, have been procured for densifying the gravity network. Joint projects with National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) have also been initiated so that the FG5 available with them can also be used immediately for observing at the gravity base stations. In addition, SoI is also on the verge of developing higher resolution gravimetric geoid model which can provide geoid undulation at +/- 10cms.

The 1:50,000 scale reference frame is being updated on priority. We are also establishing globally referenced national reference frame by densifying the ground control points to make them easily accessible. Developing a GIS based National Urban Information System is in hand which will be used for city planning. We are also helping states to develop a computer based land information system. The NUIS and ILIS projects require large scale base maps. SoI is adopting 1:10,000 scale as the basic topographical scale for the entire country to meet these new demands.

In this era of information technology and Internet technology, Google Earth is a thing which had to come. We will be seeing more such innovations in future. We have to be prepared to face such developments. Information cannot be denied. The winner will be the one who exploits technology and information. Let us use this opportunity to grow, by exploiting the technology and information for the benefit of the mankind.