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National Geo - Spatial Data Infrastructure (NGDI) (A Simplified Aproach)

Prof P. Misra


General Background
The concept of NGDI has been discussed at length at the Workshop held on 5th and 6th February 2001. Some of the existing data-infrastructure (DI) models practised abroad were also presented by the representatives from USA, UK, Netherlands, Brazil and Nepal. Their working models of DI did provide the framework of concepts for evolving a suitable NGDI in India. It is in the context of the deliberations, comments and conclusions of the Workshop that this 'simplified approach' is being proposed.

A major difference which was obvious to all the participants was the absence of 'restriction' of any sort in foreign models of DI. There was, of course, a major assumption that map-policy in India will be changed for the better and it will become user-friendly. It is definite that continuity of the present map-policy will adversely affect the launching and birth of NGDI. A user need not be disheartened because, for the first time, a public posture was openly shared by the Ministry of Science and Technology ably represented by Mr Amitabh Pandey, Joint Secretary, Dept. of Science and Technology.

Introduction to the simplified Approach
The concept of NGDI, interalia, suggests a scenario of 'BIG Changes' in the technical, organizational/structural, co-ordination and transfer of spatial data and technology with in and outside of the existing players/organizations and users in India. An attempt has, therefore, been made to formulate a simplified model of the various organizations and the important factors which are likely to influence the emergence of NGDI in India.


NGDI Model - Major Components


The approach suggested in this paper is guided by the following concepts and priorities enabling an enlightened user for better and timely utilization of the spatial-data in India.

Management of Change - Factors
The whole process of evolution of NGDI should be seen as a big techno-organizational change in Indian scenario. Therefore, all the factors which impinge on any management of the technological change should be recognized at the very beginning of the change. These, very briefly, are as follows in our case:
  • Justification of Change (s)
    "For progress we must change, but mere change is no progress".
    The change(s) therefore must be justified on the (measurable) yardstick of 'productivity' (time, cost and accuracy) and streamlining of the processes. Undoubtedly NGDI will prove a boon and will fulfill a long felt need of sharing of spatial data. Without such an arrangement like NGDI, the concept and practice of GIS will remain a very tedious exercise in collection of data.

  • Acceptability towards change
    It is axiomatic that any change which is evolved should be acceptable to the constituents. The experience says that 'acceptability' is to be brought about even if the correctness is 'massaged' a bit. A good strategy is to break the total change to small, say, d-changes, which help in enhancing acceptability. The lesson - introduce changes in small doses.
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