Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the UN World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC) on October 11 in Hyderabad, where India will showcase the advances it has made in the sector in recent years, PTI reported. Over 550 delegates from 115 countries will attend the five-day conference to discuss issues related to the development and strengthening of integrated geospatial information management, its capacities and capabilities.
The conference will begin on October 10 in Hyderabad and will last until October 14.
"We will present the geospatial 'Chaupal' initiative that seeks to link village communities with geospatial services," Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh stated, reports PTI.
India's geospatial economy is expected to reach Rs 63,100 crore by 2025, with a 12.8% growth rate, Singh stated.
The Minister further added that geospatial technology has become a key enabler in socioeconomic development by increasing productivity, ensuring sustainable infrastructure planning, effective administration, and assisting the agricultural sector.
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Singh stated that initiatives such as Swamitva, which maps revenue lands in villages, and the government's efforts to empower common citizens through the use of geospatial data will be a key component of India's focus area during the conference.
"We are not in an era where we can keep a veil of confidentiality on our data," the minister said when asked about the industry's reaction to the government's geospatial initiatives, reports PTI.
"This scientific program has been diligently planned. We have plenary sessions which will deal with sustainable development goals. Parallel sessions dealing with strategy. We also have a unique Geospatial Chaupal which no other country in the world can offer," Singh said.
According to S Chandrashekar, secretary of science and technology, the automotive industry has embraced local businesses' navigation services.
'Geo-Enabling the Global Village: No one should be left behind' is the subject of the second UNWGIC.
Chandrashekar stated that the conference will highlight the value of integrated geospatial information for fostering sustainable development and societal well-being, addressing environmental and climate challenges, embracing digital transformation and technological development, and igniting a thriving economy.
(With Inputs From PTI)