Please elaborate on some of the latest initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology in the field of geospatial sciences?
One of the major decisions taken was to reorganize Survey of India to perform the role of a nodal agency in National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). The present system of circles and zones was disbanded and each state now has a Spatial Data Centre created at its headquarters. Now, The Survey of India's presence will be in each District Headquarters. In addition, there is going to be revolution in the way maps and digital map shall be handled in this country with the new map policy, which will be presented shortly. There will be series of maps, one exclusively for the Defence and one for the civilians.

The above, along with NSDI, will invigorate the growth of geospatial activities in India. To take care of capacity building, NRDMS Programme of Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Survey of India instituted in Geospatial at Anna University, Chennai is corporate of Rs 50 lakhs.

Under NRDMS Programme a number of universities and academic institutions have been encouraged and financially supported to conduct training programmes in the new technologies of GIS, GPS and Remote Sensing. Anna University and University of Mysore are some examples.

The NSDI is a mammoth step being embarked upon by the government in opening up the vast spatial data available in the nation. What do you think can be DST's specific role in NSDI once it is operational?
The NSDI is now transforming itself from paper to reality. After obtaining all views from various agencies, the Committee of Secretaries has endorsed the proposal. Presently, it is awaiting the approval of the Cabinet, which is likely to happen in a month. The secretariat of NSDI is functional along with the total design exclusively for NSDI in India by DST and ESRI. The major stockholders accepted the meta-data standards and are ready with their notes to take part in the NSDI movement. The trial and run of the server is at present being carried out by DST and NIC. DST will be performing the role of monitoring. NSDI will be fully operational in the help of Geo Spatial Data Commission, the Executive Committee and the Secretariat. There will be no direct role except that Secretary, DST will be the Chairman of the Geo Spatial Data Commission.

What in your opinion is the present status of geomatics in India - as a science and as a market?
Till now, geospatial technologies were mainly restricted to the government organizations. The role of private industry has been very limited which hampered the growth of the industry in the country. The private sector may be involved in almost all of the processes, right from data capture till generation, production and dissemination. However, we have to build the partnerships to ensure the government interest / national interests are taken care of while carrying out work in private domain.

Geospatial information although crucial for developmental purposes, are considered to have security implications. What do you suggest to strike a balance between the two?
You have yourself answered the question. We should strike a balance. The policy has to ensure that security interests of the nation are not undermined in any geospatial policy under any circumstances. At the same time it has to be seen that the data available in the public domain elsewhere is not denied to Indians for work purposes. But still a large amount of data will be classified and those may not be accessible. Secondly, at its beginning, data growth accuracy may not be required. Thus, solution can be and is being worked out by the Survey of India and will be made public soon.

Can you state something on DST's agenda on the aspects of public and private collaboration in the development of the geospatial market and services in India?
DST is encouraging Public Private Partnership (PPP). Agreements, MoUs, contracts will have to be carefully drafted to ensure that public interest is not sacrificed. We have already made a trial of all the new technology as ALTM with the help of private industry . We also help that in the private industry such as data format required for the use the public.