BENGALURU: India on Monday liberalised regulations that apply to acquisition and production of geospatial data and services, including surveying and mapping, allowing Indian private firms access to data — spatial accuracy of 1m for horizontal or planimetry and 3m for vertical or elevation, and areas not physically restricted — without prior approvals.
“Our startups and mapping innovators will be trusted to self-certify, apply good judgement and be relied upon to demonstrate adherence to guidelines. Measures to promote the development of Indian geospatial innovations that take advantage of the latest map-making technologies are proposed,” the department of science and technology, which released the fresh guidelines, said.
The private industry welcomed the move with multiple representatives TOI spoke with describing it as a path-breaking move. While announcing the new guidelines, the government conceded that the existing regime imposed significant restrictions on the mapping industry — from creation to dissemination of maps — requiring Indian companies to seek licenses, follow a cumbersome system of pre-approvals and permissions.
“Compliance with these regulatory restrictions has subjected startups in India to unnecessary red tape, hindering Indian innovation in map technologies for decades,” the government said, adding that with the next generation of mapping technology just about coming into its own around the world, this policy will enable Indian innovators to create substantial advances in mapping that will make lives easier and empower small businesses.
The guidelines specifically change India’s mapping policy for Indian companies. According to DST, what’s readily available globally doesn’t need to be restricted in India so geospatial data that used to be restricted will now be freely available.
The government said that maps and accurate geospatial data are crucial for national infrastructure projects such as linkages of rivers, creation of industrial corridors and deploying smart power systems.
“Emerging vibrant technologies like Digital India, Smart Cities, eCommerce, autonomous drones, delivery, logistics and urban transport require a leap forward in mapping with greater depth, resolution and precision...We look forward to India emerging as a mapping power, creating next generation indigenous maps of India and taking these new technologies to the rest of the world,” the government added.
In every economic endeavor, spanning agriculture, finance, construction, mining and local enterprise, India’s farmers, small businesses and corporations alike stand to gain tremendously from the application of innovative technologies based on modern geospatial data technologies and mapping services, the government added.
While the policy opens up the sector to Indian private firms, foreign companies and foreign owned or controlled Indian companies are only allowed to licence from Indian entities for the purpose of serving their customers in India.
“...Access to such maps/geospatial data shall only be made available through APIs (application programme interface) that do not allow data to pass through licensee company or its servers. Re-use and resale of such map data by licensee shall be prohibited,” the government said.