Sustained economic growth, balance between development of natural resources and their exploitation in an optimal natural environment requires access to an accurate, consistent and uptodate data on related parameters for planning of development projects. A system designed to provide such data can be perceived to be one which has no beginning and no end, no inner or outer constraints and which cannot provide a single cutting edge answer for a specified problem. As a result, while considering development process in its totality, we are faced with the fact that there are a number of points of entry in the multidimensional social, economic, cultural, environmental and ethical fields which have a bearing on the planning process. All these fields are joined by numerous links which act as checks and balances to avoid any particular field of human activity accelerating or degrading too fast. The planning activity is governed by specific laws, legal provisions, individual enthusiasm and Governmental constraints. Each of these factors influence the planning model in different ways. It is thus that we find that one has to be content with less than an 'Ideal' solution and accept and a practical proposition as the 'best' solution most of the times.

Considering the impact of these multidimensional factors in planning for services and utilities, it is necessary to view infrastructure and services as being mutually dependent on each other. Any effort at finding a perfect fit for a problem situation will necessarily have to wait till the inter relationships between these factors is firmly established. As a corollarly, then, it is necessary to view the chief objectives of development of an infrastructure as being the pointers to sustain growth in the quality of life while preserving the environment. Reliable and complete information on different aspects of activities facilitate better understanding of complex issues and reduce the margin of error in the decision making process. The role of political, economic and social factors is quite dynamic in nature, but, at least, the physical requirements of a planning process could be obtained largely by spatial data and existing Geo-information Technology for analysing related information for the development of infrastructure. One of the important sources for the spatial data could originate from Geomatics.

Geomatics (Geographical Informatics)
As the name suggests, the discipline of Geomatics deals with information on positional data of points, features and other phenomena with or without accompanying attributes. In essence, it is conceived to be a platform of multidisciplinary geographical data base with the requisite facilities for analysing and updation of the data. This technology can be usefully employed by all those engaged in the planning and development process to access information stored in the past on data and relate the same to the present and future expectations from any infrastructure. It can also serve as evidence in legal transactions and is already becoming quite popular as a tool for planning of roads, railways and waterways. The planning for construction of such features is achieved by accessing the cartographic data bases and creating Digital Elevation Models(DEM) for studying and comparing alternate routes. Considerable saving in time and cost can be effected in determination of slopes, directions, length, volume of earth-works of linear and aerial details. The DEMs created from 1:25,000 scale and 1:50,000 scale maps are being used for generating slope/aspect maps for design of dams, irrigation systems, airport, soil conservation plans and the like. Geomatics associated with other GIS has also been successfully used by some countries for hazard predictions, monitoring geological deformations, seismicity and other phenomenon. Viewing all these important and serious applications, Survey of India has proposed the establishment of a Geomatic centre at New Delhi. Its objects are as under:

1. To offer consultancy services on specialised subjects such as geodetic, geophysical, topographical surveys and digital data base to various Governmental and Non-Governmental organisations.
   
   
2. To coordinate specialised survey projects at national level such as Micro-Watershed Development, Coastal Zone Management, Conservation of Himalayan Eco System, Cadastral Mapping etc. using the resources of Survey of India.
   
   
3. To make available the infrastructure for use of digital cartographic data base by various Govt./Non-Govt. organisations for preparing user specific data base for use in their GIS environment and process security clearance and vetting of value added digital data base as per the instructions of Ministry of Defence.
   
   
4. To undertake multi-disciplinary mapping projects in collaboration with National Scientific Institutions such as National Soil Survey and Land Use Organisations, Bhopal; National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad; NRSA, Hyderabad; NGRI, Hyderabad; Institute of Non-Conventional Energy, Bangalore; NATMO,Calcutta etc. While the specialised manpower in different disciplines is proposed to be obtained on consultancy term from such Institutions, the Survey of India expertise in specialised field of geodesy, photogrammetry, tidal and topographical survey, digital cartography existing at various circles are to be utilised.
   
   
5. To generate digital data base of unrestricted public series maps such as Road Map of India, Tourist Maps, Trekking maps, State maps etc. and make it available to public after security clearance to promote tourism, trade & economic developments, national integration and general awareness of geographical environment and Eco Systems amongst public and planners.
   
   
6. It is essential that the related industries, academicians, central/state governments, and professionals work together to share information and to develop integrated technology and expertise to meet the requirement of spatial planning for sustainable development. The growth of the nation depends on speedy implementation of scientifically planned developmental activities through use of multifaceted geomatics data. The geomatics data is also used in various sector of socio-economic planning viz. regional and urban planning, resources management, infrastructure development, environment monitoring, agriculture, irrigation, soil conservations, forestry, railways, airways, in-land water transport, mineral resource. etc.

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:

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. The scale of the topographical maps are not suitable for cadastral and town planning work.
   
   
4. 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.
   
   
5. Definition of parameters and their description is often at variance.
   
   
6. 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.

Recommendations
In view of the situations and factors mentioned above recommendation is made for setting up a National Geographical Digital Data Infrastructure (NGDDI). The main components for setting up the infrastructure are proposed as under:-

1. Permanent Committee
   1. Setting up a Permanent Committee on Geographical data base to facilitate the functioning of the infrastructure and lay down rules and regulations for sustaining it. Its terms and references may include:
      
      
   2. To lay down priorities and time frames for the development of infrastructure.
      
      
   3. To lay down standards for meta data in the fundamental data sets comprising of topographical and thematic data.
      
      
   4. Identify data generating organisations who can meet the standards of meta data and work on mechanism for transfer of standardised data to the fundamental data sets.
      
      
   5. Set up Sub Committees to evaluate and scrutinize the recommendations on data transfer format, exchange format and other technical standards for the infrastructure.
      
      
   6. To identify the custodians of fundamental data sets, methodologies for its upkeep, updation, operational linkages and evaluation vis.a.vis meta data standards.
      
      
   7. Initiate standardisation of geo-referencing systems, plan for generating transformation parameters to support transportation of data in other popular geo-referencing systems and projections commensurating with the user requirements.
      
      
   8. To identify potential users, their resources and data requirements, economics of data transfer and legal cover etc., for setting up of clearing houses.
      
      
   9. To identify data requirements of users and lay down the contents of user data sets in consonance with the Govt. policies on desensitisation of spatial data. Policies on networking for access to data for browsing and value addition be defined.
2. Government Initiative
   1. The concerned authorities in the Government be approached to either give a mandate or to lay down a uniform policy for funding the infrastructure and specifying the norms on Copyright, Royalties and Charges for dissemination of data to Government organisations and NGOs. The legal framework for dissemination of data and reproduction of value added products may also be notified. Appropriate authorities in the Government may also be approached to issue directions to the concerned Govt.
      
      
   2. Agencies to co-ordinate their digital data policies with the Permanent Committee.Initiative of the Government will also be required for the production and maintenance of Global Data Set.
      
      
   3. In the mixed, private-public economic environment in India, the accessibility and use of geographical data cannot be totally denied to bonafide users. Nor can the Government on its own develop and maintain an all encompassing digital data bank without the multilateral partnerships with data generating enterprises in public and private sector. The requirement of geographical information for developing tourism, communication/transportation infrastructure, recreational and other public facilities, wastelands, industries etc. in private enterprises is to be recognised to improve multilateral partner ship for the development of the country. Possibilities of such partnerships in data generation and sustainability of the NGDDI may also be explored and projected to the Government for setting guidelines.
      
      
   4. Recognising the need of geographical information in the management of nautral calamities and hazard mitigation programmes, Government may initiate setting up clearing houses with the concerned organisations and develop IT linkage with NGDDI to support almost real time access to data from the fundamental data set.
      
      
   5. Recommendations of the either Standing Committees formed under NNRMS regarding the digital data requirements, data base management, GIS environment must be integrated with the infrastructural policies at various levels and stages.

Conclusion
Establishment of Geomatics Centre for generating integrated geographical digital data base will meet the long term requirements of a multitude of users. In addition to generating digital spatial data bank, the Geomatics Centre is also being modelled to support the National Geographical Digital Data Infrastructure (NGDDI) and to also perform the functions of a nodal agency for archiving and dissemination of data. Survey of India by itself may not be able to generate and manage such infrastructure. Active association of Governmental, commercial, scientific and educational organisation is required in order that the needs of various users of spatial data are met from this single organisation. Hence a concerted effort to synergise the requirements of the multidisciplinary users in establishment of the Geomatics Centre and the proposed NGDDI is essential.

References
Srivastava Brig. R.N. Recommendations for a National Geographical Digital Data Infrastructure (NGDDI).

Telegram: "SURVEYS" TeleFax: 0091-135-744064 E-Mail : sgo@ndb.vsnl.net.in

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Survey of India, the Premier Surveying and Mapping Agency is responsible to execute Geodetic and Topographical Surveys and bring out maps and allied publications for expeditious and integrated development of the country.

Since independence, Survey of India has marched ahead to fulfil the increasing needs of the country in the field of scientific surveys and mapping. With the adoption of a planned economy as a national objective, phenomenal demand for spatial information emerged. The Survey of India took up this task and has completed development surveys for more than 1800 projects since 1951. Besides contributing for sustained development of the country, its expertise has been harnessed by the Government of India from time to time for Govt. aided multi-purpose projects in neighbouring countries. True to its motto 'A Setu Himachalam', the highly skilled professionals of the department are being increasingly used for management of the spatial information for developmental activities. Survey of India is also currently engaged in transfer of technology to neighbouring countries.

Survey of India is one of the few mapping organisations in the world which has completed primary scale mapping i.e. mapping on 1/250,000 and 1/50,000 scales for the entire country. Almost 60% mapping coverage on 1/25,000 scale, which is a very useful scale for planning developmental activities, has also been completed.

In pursuit of production of excellent maps on various scales, Survey of India has not lost sight of importance of continuing education and research & development activities which are so important for the growth and sustenance of any orgnisation. The department has an internationally renowned Survey Training Institute at Hyderabad and is also engaged in carrying out research and development activities in all aspects of mapping operations at the Research and Development Directorate at Hyderabad.

Although the Department is now more than 230 years old, innovative spirit of recognising the uses of modern technology and introducing them in our mapping operations has not been lost sight of. In fact, Survey of India was the first mapping organisation in India to appreciate the benefits of digital technology in mapping operations. As a result of this farsightedness, the department is now on the verge of completing Digital Cartographic Data Base (DCDB) for maps on 1/250,000 scale. These DCDBs are now being supplied on demand for many administrative, scientific and defence applications, within the stipulated guidelines.

To serve the vast community of data users in the country, the Survey of India is now in the process of establishing a Geomatics Centre at Delhi which is planned to be the nodal agency for interaction with all the users of digital data.