gis.unleashed@andhrapradesh.gov
Andhra Pradesh development monitoring system Praveen Sreepuram Regency InfoTech 7-1-59/6, Dharam Karan Road Ameerpet Hyderabad AP 500 016. INDIA Tel: 91-40-6502695, 91-40-6502696 Fax: 91-40-3739082 praveen@regencyinfotech.com Web: http://www.regencyinfotech.com
Abstract
Unleashing spatial information, no matter what format it is in, and making it available through an easy to use graphic interface to those who need it, no matter where they are, has instantaneously empowered virtually the entire Andhra Pradesh State government machinery. The enormous repository of GIS databases of Andhra Pradesh-libraries of information about physical characteristics, asset information, topology and maps with spatial data and associated attribute data are now being shared digitally across the State on the Andhra Pradesh State Wide Area Network (APSWAN). World Wide Web is the enabling technology for much of this new openness and has facilitated the unlocking of information that has been held so far as a secret by a privileged few. The consequence is an evolving and effective Decision Support System that facilitates a Simple, Moral, Accountable, Responsive and Transparent (SMART) governance and every citizen of the state could be a beneficiary. Over the years a huge repository of spatial data and attribute data has been created by the state of Andhra Pradesh and was being accessed on the Desktop and Client Server environment. These datasets were largely locked in computer centers in the hands of scientists who rarely have the opportunity to use the data for analysis and decision making and address real world problems. Replicating the datasets on desktops at multiple locations would lead to problems in data sharing, maintenance and manipulation and would result in redundant data storage. Also replicating the datasets on various desktops and investing heavily on desktop applications to use the datasets was not viable and hence not attempted. But the need for making these datasets available to individuals across various geographic locations could not be undermined anymore and there was increasing pressure felt at all levels to disseminate such information to those who need it the most. The Need There was a need to develop a centralized database that could serve information to multiple users across different geographical locations at a low cost without data redundancy. There was a need for an affordable technology that would enable storage, maintenance and updating of a central database with a easy to use interface, to facilitate all those who need the information system to use it to address issues. The Users GIS novices would use the application in their day to day functions and hence the system has to be very user friendly and mouse click driven. All the 37 Ministers including the Chief Minister - Mr. Chandra Babu Naidu himself, 294 MLA's, 67 Secretaries and department heads in the state administrative machinery and all the 23 District Collectors would be provided access as users. In the next phase a part of the dataset will be made available for general public on the Internet. The Solution - Integrating GIS and Internet / Intranet Technologies and making Geographical Information available to those who need it. The Design Objectives Some of the key design objectives were to
The Software The application was built on Autodesk MapGuide® software, as it is a complete solution, comprising of all the tools required to build, deploy, and access intelligent, map-driven websites. Autodesk MapGuide software is a tool for building web-based applications requiring maps and GIS data. Unlike any other product, Autodesk MapGuide software delivers integrated vector, raster and attribute data to provide true GIS functionality out of the box. The first GIS built from the ground up for the protocols of intranet/Internet use, Autodesk MapGuide software is optimized for distributed and scalable computing, allowing users to access data stored on multiple servers across their organization's network. It complements existing GIS solutions, enabling users with heavy investments in ARC/INFO coverages, Arc View shape files, Microstation DGN and other file formats to quickly distribute thin applications. Autodesk MapGuide essentially has three components Server, Author and the Viewer.
The Data The spatial datasets were available as Arc Info coverage files and Arc View Shape files. The spatial data consists of the following features at 1:50,000 scale:
The spatial datasets available as Arc Info Coverage files were brought into Autodesk MapGuide environment by creating spatial data files (SDF) and Map Window File(MWF). Each feature is brought in separately as a point or line or polygon layer and made available for publishing along with the related attribute datasets. The user interfaces and reports were designed to enable easy access of the information required on the click of a mouse. On completion of preparation of the datasets in the required format, the entire dataset was hosted on a Windows NT Web Server. The Web Server
The Network The AP State Wide Area Network (APSWAN) which connects all the government departments in the secretariat, along with departments located outside the secretariat and the District Collectors offices in each of the 23 Districts in the state is being used as the network backbone for riding the Intranet application. The Functions
The growth targets set out in the Vision 2020 document, prepared and published by the Andhra Pradesh State government, for indicators such as Literacy, Education, Health, Infrastructure, Security, Employment, Industry, Agriculture, Irrigation, etc can be periodically monitored and measured. This could help to plan for and achieve the target set out for each of the indicators at every location across the state. Land Use Reports: Reports on the current Land Use i.e. Total extents, Crop Land, Area under wells, Area under canals, Urban Area, etc. Census Reports: Reports on Census data is available at the level of a revenue village on indicators such as Total population, Male, Female, Employed, etc. JanmaBhoomi Reports: Report on JanmaBhoomi works can be generated on any location of interest for the works being done in that location. The reports bring forward critical information on the cost, completion status, government's representative and the contractor's details for every work being done in the entire state. Multi Purpose Household Survey Reports: Reports on Household survey on indicators such as No. of People in the house hold, no. Of Dependants, Income levels, Educational qualifications, etc. The Benefits Benefits extend far beyond the original mission. What started off as a mission to make available maps of the state to the government machinery is now developing into a very comprehensive and effective Decision Support System. The state anticipates that this tool would revolutionize the planning and monitoring processes of the development within the state and facilitate a Simple, Moral, Accountable, Responsive and Transparent (SMART) governance. As a consequence to the effective usage of the system every Citizen of the state could be a Beneficiary. The Future
Unleash Digital Maps…Empower People! The References http://www.autodesk.com http://www.csdms.org http://www.geoplace.com http://www.spatialnews.com http://www.directionsmag.com http://www.geo.edac.uk/home/giswww.html | ||
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