Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated a groundbreaking Geospatial initiative, marking a significant milestone in India’s technological advancement.
Introduction to the CORS Network
The recently launched nationwide “Continuously Operating Reference Stations” (CORS) Network promises to revolutionize location-based services in India. This state-of-the-art network will be operated by the Survey of India, with the potential to provide centimeter-level precision in real-time positioning services.
India’s Path to Self-Reliance
India now possesses world-class Geospatial capabilities. The Survey of India has established over 1,000 CORS stations across the country, ensuring precise centimeter-level positioning services, catering to the specific needs of the nation.
Geospatial Technology for National Growth
The government has initiated various growth-focused projects, such as the SVAMITVA project for rural mapping, the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for Multi-Modal Connectivity, Smart Cities & AMRUT Project for urban development, Bharatmala and Sagarmala Projects for logistical improvement, and the National Hydrology Project for water resource management. These initiatives share a common need for high-accuracy mapping and positioning data, now made accessible through the CORS network.
Diverse Applications of CORS
Beyond the Geospatial sector, CORS-based precision services will significantly impact auto navigation and machine control in sectors like Agriculture, Mining, Construction, Transport, and Civil Aviation. This development opens doors to innovation and research, fostering a Geospatial-based ecosystem.
CORS and Scientific Advancements
CORS data will support various scientific studies, including Upper Atmosphere and Space weather studies, Meteorology, Plate motion, Tectonic studies, Seismology, and Hydrology. This wealth of data will be accessible to businesses and the public, ensuring uniformity in geospatial data and enhancing productivity.
Celebrating Innovation
As part of the event, Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the stakeholder conference for Ortho rectified Image (ORI) and Digital Elevation Model (DEM). He also felicitated the winners of the Geospatial hackathon, a collaborative effort between the Survey of India, IIIT Hyderabad, and Microsoft Inc.