The government may consider sharing with private agencies information related to spatial data like heights, gravity, geophysical aspects etc that are essential for accurate positioning and speedy execution of projects. It may also frame policies soon to allow private participation in data acquisition using sensors and aerial platforms. Speakers from different government agencies, professionals, academicians and representatives from the private sector deliberated upon these and several other issues at the seminar on geomatics for infrastructure development organised by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis in Delhi on July 23-24. They felt that awareness programmes must be conducted for the stakeholders frequently to familiarise them with the intricacies of spatial data and policies governing generation and sharing of data and technology transfer. Interoperability too came up for discussion and it was felt that interoperability must be maintained in techniques, applications and data sets developed by different agencies both in the private as well as the public sectors.

Earlier, Lt Gen Utpal Bhattacharya, PVSM, AVSM, Director General (MP&PS), Integrated HQ, of the Ministry of Defence (Army) inaugurated the seminar and released a souvenir. Later, addressing the gathering, he underlined the importance of accurate and up to date spatial data for efficient planning and timely execution of infrastructure projects. New projects, satellite imageries of high resolution and sensors have provided an opportunity to collect data, visualise and depict in a scientific manner for accurate planning and monitoring of projects. He pointed out the need to create awareness among the stakeholders on these technologies and the importance of maps both in digital and hard copy form in the infrastructure planning process and congratulated the Institution of Surveyors for playing a key role in this process.

In his opening remarks, Brig MV Bhat, Additional Director General, Military Survey, and President of the Institution of Surveyors, gave a bird’s eye view of the activities of the institution right from its inception in 1950 to the present and explained the objectives behind organising the seminar. “The aim of our institution is to promote the profession of surveying by disseminating the science and practice of surveying techniques,” he said, adding that seminars like these were part of the institution’s efforts at achieving its objectives. He went on to explain the importance of surveying by citing the example of the importance of land management. “Land revenue is one of the important sources of income for the state governments. It may come from land holdings by private individuals, real estate transactions or other natural resources being tapped by various sections of the society. In these modern days, because of migrations and increasing business opportunities, land value is increasing every day, he pointed out and said accurate and up to date information about land is indispensable in the changed scenario.

Geomatics addresses all aspects of spatial data collection, depiction and use, the president said, adding that in view of the advancements in technology, the institution thought it fit to provide a platform for professionals to exchange ideas and techniques. Later, Brig RC Padhi, DDG, Military Survey and Treasurer of the Institution of Surveyors presented the vote of thanks.

The seminar had five sub-themes including map interpretation and digital map data for planning, sensors and aerial platforms for data acquisition, instruments for data acquisition in field and the latest trends and industry perspective. Over 200 attended the inaugural ceremony while 159 delegates participated in the technical sessions.