Indian Government initiates National Web GIS Application for PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (‘Prime Minister’s Rural Road Program)

Introduction

Geographical Information System (GIS) is an uptrend in current economy and a buzzing word in construction sector. The system is proving to solve difficult spatial problems as it gives accurate digital geospatial data. For the Indian Government to achieve its ambitious aims for planning and development, the geospatial data is essential. With the active participation and connection of all the States and the Union Territories (UTs), the National Rural Road Development Agency (NRRDA), along with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), the government is currently carrying out national implementation of a web-based GIS for Prime Minister’s Rural Road Program. The nation is building digital geospatial data to adapt the spatial accuracy guidelines. The web-based GIS application which is in the developing process will be open to all, according to the sources.

Let’s get familiar with the spatial data accuracy and the GIS guidelines to create digital geospatial data.

Spatial Accuracy

The spatial accuracy of geospatial features is exceptionally significant for planning and development aspects. The features include different locations of habitations, roads and administrative boundaries. It is necessary that an element is placed on the map at the same location where it is spatially located on the ground.

Looking at the trend, it is noticed that maximum part of GIS project time is spent on creating a digital database. While the national projects struggle to get precise digital spatial data, many organizations own as well as operate with higher accuracy of geospatial data like data for vehicle navigation system.

The exactness of Indian topographic map survey is sometimes questioned, noting that it gets generated from old reviews. However, those maps are also accurate unless there has been any kind of positional changes of features on the ground.

The significant spatial inaccuracy in digital data is primarily the wrong data conversion process. A proper understanding of the map components, map projection parameters should be studied before the actual digital conversion process. The correct digital data conversion process is on uphold if overlapping of spatial data from various sources reveals any positional shifts.

Explore GIS Guidelines for Creating Geospatial data

The geospatial data generation process in PMGSY is a modification from a traditional way of digitization that ensures the positional accuracy. The base data and the respective boundaries in the conventional process are thrownaway. Along with that, the implementation of anticipatory Global Positioning System (GPS) latitude-longitude coordinated readings is in effect. At the same time, GPS directly captures the geographical features rather than losing the spatial accuracy through map projection conversions. To perform the data conversion tasks, the State Officials get adept training to gain precise spatial accuracy through GIS guidelines, research articles, presentations and innovative workshops.

Data Digitization Policy and Change

Gone are the days of managing the project using hard-copy map sheets. The trend is of digital data. The government agencies involved in planning and development should have access to accurate digital base data. Whereas, it is the role of the government and the domain experts to bring variations in the process. A change for making precise digital spatial data readily available for nation building should be the priority. Rather than just focusing on the realm of elementary data conversion, the GIS industry should globalize on location-based services. The steps can undoubtedly drive requirements for advances in spatial data and software.

To Conclude

Various GIS technological progressions are in application to the PMGSY so that the output could tremendously contribute to the national GIS. In coming future, the experts could focus on analysis, planning, as well as modeling rather than searching for reliable digital spatial data. The management of GIS projects will invariably change the scenario through geospatial data service.  The GIS initiative is expected to open modern and versatile opportunities in the government sector as well as in GIS industry. The job opportunities will also rise tremendously featuring the growth of the economy in the Construction sector.