Putting India on the Map

Context:  The recent radical makeover of the rules governing the acquisition and production of geospatial data will offer data — and economic — riches to India.

What is Triangulation?

• It is a method of mapping that essentially involved measuring angles of a triangle based on three points picked out by the surveyor and then using a formula to calculate its exact position on earth.

Positives of the changes in the rules:

• Kills Redtapism: By acknowledging private sector as an equal partner in the economy- E.g. Private entity has now no need to depend on government to map a road to capture potholes.
• Enables convergence between the physical and digital world.
• Helps fighting an epidemic: E.g. during great cholera epidemic that struck Britain in1854, geospatial data was used to locate the source and track the origin of the disease.
• Helps in disaster management: E.g. in 2010, Google Maps was deployed to reach relief to the people displaced in the massive floods that hit Pakistan.
• Geotagging: Now, everything can be uniquely geotagged, akin to according a 12-digit Aadhaar to every item. (local maps will acquire incredible details and will be real-tile updated)
• Increase the scope of application: Because there are no restrictions on the technology to capture the geospatial data.
  • Tech like light detection and ranging (Lidar) or scanning using lasers can be used in autonomous vehicles for navigation.
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry, UAV Lidar, drones, radar interferometry etc., can also be used.
• Enhances competition: E.g. Indian Space Research Organisation has inked a deal with MapmyIndia, to provide an indigenous option for generating maps, navigation and geospatial services.
• Sets the stage for Third Triangulation of India:
  • The first triangulation was undertaken over 200 years ago by the British: Mount Everest was identified by Radhanath Sikdar in 1856 as the tallest peak in the world during this survey.
  • The second triangulation was undertaken recently by Google, spearheaded by an Indian-origin techie, Lalitesh Katragadda.
• Monetisation: It will help to explore enormous opportunity to map data and then monetise it. (only about 15% of India is mapped)