New Delhi: Indian corporations and innovators will no longer be subject to restrictions nor will they require prior approvals before they collect, generate, prepare, disseminate, store, publish, update digital geospatial data and maps within the territory of India, Ministry of Science & Technology stated here today.
Now whatever is readily available globally will not be needed to be restricted in India and therefore geospatial data that used to be restricted will now be freely available in India, it stated, adding that the regulations that apply to geospatial data and maps now stand radically liberalised, “to realise India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the goal of a 5 trillion-dollar economy”. The Ministry informed that in this regard, the Department of Science and Technology is announcing sweeping changes to India’s mapping policy, specifically for Indian companies.
Giving details of the liberalised guidelines at a media briefing in New Delhi today, the Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that by liberalizing the geo-spatial guidelines, the government had taken a “historic decision that will lead to a One Lakh Crore Rupees Geo-Spatial economy”. Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “ 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.”
Maps and accurate geospatial data are crucial for national infrastructure projects such as linkages of rivers, creation of industrial corridors and deploying smart power systems.Emerging vibrant technologies like Digital India, Smart Cities, eCommerce, autonomous drones, delivery, logistics and urban transport require a leap forward in mapping with greater depth, resolution and precision.
“In every economic endeavour, spanning agriculture, finance, construction, mining and local enterprise, India’s farmers, small businesses and corporations alike stand to gain tremendously from the application of innovative technologies based on modern geospatial data technologies and mapping services,” the Ministry said and referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s observation that that the existing regime imposed significant restrictions on the mapping industry – from creation to dissemination of maps, requiring Indian companies to seek licenses, follow a cumbersome system of pre-approvals and permissions.
“Compliance with these regulatory restrictions has subjected startups in India to unnecessary red tape, hindering Indian innovation in map technologies for decades,” it stated and added that now onwards, the startups and mapping innovators will be trusted to self-certify, apply good judgement and be relied upon to demonstrate adherence to guidelines.
In addition, measures to promote the development of Indian geospatial innovations that take advantage of the latest map-making technologies were also proposed. “With the next generation of mapping technology just about coming into its own around the world, this policy will enable Indian innovators to create substantial advances in mapping ultimately making our lives easier and empowering small businesses. We look forward to India emerging as a mapping power, creating next generation indigenous maps of India and taking these new technologies to the rest of the world,” the Ministry stated.
– global bihari bureau
