|
|
|
Aims, Objectives and Scope for Development of a National Digital Data Infrastructure
All the benefits occurring from the services of the
Geomatics Centre will be meaningful provided standardization of spatial Data is
undertaken by different organisations using the same. It is necessary that
meaningful steps are initiated now for standardisation of spatial data in order
that the interaction between the data generator, data supplier and the data user
leads to achievement of the desired goals. Some of the constraints in
standardisation of spatial data especially in the context of application of
topographic data for rural and urban applications in so far as they relate to
utilization of data from Survey of India may be enumerated as under:
- Projections for cadastral maps and their accuracy standards are quite
different from those of topographical maps. In particular, the value of land in
urban conglomerates and rural areas having appreciated considerably, the
accuracy standards of topographical maps may be found wanting for land valuation
in most cases.
- Topographical maps are not updated regularly at fixed intervals. As a
result, many a time there is a mismatch between ground reality and information
depiction on maps. This discrepancy may affect the planning process considerably
in case maps are quite old.
- The scale of the topographical maps are not suitable for cadastral and town
planning work.
- Attribute information on positional data is collected through a variety of
sources by a variety of organisations. The subjective bias of the individuals
and organisations often creep in the process.
- Definition of parameters and their description is often at variance.
- Lack of technological skills in individuals at different engineering and
planning departments may result in insufficient date being made available for
planners thereby leading to uncertainties which ultimately get reflected in
planning model being less than perfect.
As pointed out in the
foregoing, there are now a large number of organisation engaged in collection
and collation of data for development and planning who follow varying methods
for tackling similar problems. The solutions that emerge are often confusing and
at times quite contradictory. There is thus a need for standardisation of an
information system which addresses major issues for sustainable development. The
system should be able to handle the tasks of recording, managing designing and
developing a central authority to collect and manage data and thus provide an
information which is at once authoritative and reliable.
At present the
collection and dissemination of topographical data rests with the Survey of
India and the Naval Hydrographic offices. Statistical data is collected
primarily by different government agencies at the central and the state levels.
National Atlas and thematic Mapping Organisation is primarily concerned with the
compilation and publication of thematic maps based on topographical data from
Survey of India maps, statistical data from various sources and thematic data
from satellite imageries etc. In the absence of a central coordinating agency,
the use of a common spatial data base by these organisations is very
low.
It is therefore, necessary that the user data sets obtained from the
central authority mentioned in the foregoing are tailored to meet the specific
needs of users. It is necessary, therefore to enumerate clear-cut policies and
devise strategies to implement these policies. Major constraints in developing
such an infrastructure revolve around the initative and ability of the
Government to establish a platform for consideration of activities of different
organisations, formulating policies and towards creation of a coordinating body.
All the efforts of the Government in the field standardization will be
meaningful in case it is made obligatory on private and semi Government
institutions to accept and use the same. At present due to absence of efforts in
the desired direction, many organisations with minimum available where withal
are in the process of creating their own data standards. This can only lead to a
chaotic situation.
|
|
|