New Delhi: The meeting of Union cabinet held today approved elevation of Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG) at Gandhinahar in Gujarat as Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics, informed Union minister Prakash Javdekar in cabinet briefing. BISAG function under Department of Science & Technolgoy, Government of Gujarat.

Benefits

To maintain efficiency and innovation of services, the current skilled manpower working at BISAG may join the national level institute on as-is and where-is basis.

To facilitate implementation of expanded scope of activities

To facilitate implementation of expanded scope of activities and efficient rollout of GIS projects.

To facilitate implementation of expanded scope of activities, aid research & development and technology development.

Facilitate development planning and good governance through spatial decision support systems.

Background

At present, BISAG is a state agency of Department of Science and Technology Government of Gujarat, located at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. It is registered as a Society and Trust with the Charity Commissioner of Ahmedabad. Its Governing body is chaired by the Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat. Its charter is based on the philosophy that modern day planning for a holistic development calls for transparent, efficient and low-cost decision-making systems. This involves multi-disciplinary information that encourages people’s participation and ensures equitable development. The application of space technologies (especially the space based remote sensing technology), satellite communication and geo-informatics has contributed significantly towards the socio-economic development.

Since this is not a new organisation but only an elevation of existing body which will be an Autonomous Scientific Society under Government of India instead of State Government, the following key steps have been undertaken by MEITY for the consideration of proposal: –

An Expert Committee was constituted under chairmanship of Secretary, MeitY with representatives from Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Science & Technology and ex-Secretary of Ministry of Earth Sciences for analysing the proposal. The Expert Committee recommended the proposal during the meeting held on January 28th 2019.

The CEE proposal was put for consideration of the appraisal body i.e. Committee on Establishment Expenditure (CEE). The CEE meeting was held on August 6th, 2019 under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, along with representatives of NITI Aayog, Ministry of Finance and Department of Science & Technology. The proposal was recommended by CEE.

About BISAG

The Institute works in close co-ordination with Government departments and has thus emerged as a State level nodal agency to use satellite communication and Geo-spatial technologies for the planning and development activities in various sector.

BISAG provides specialized services and solutions in implementing map-based GeoSpatial Information Systems. BISAG undertakes all services for the entire process of implementing an enterprise level GIS system. These services include GIS database design and development, map creation/updation and finishing, data migration/conversion and format translation, software development and customization, systems integration and technical consulting.BISAG also provides complete GIS solutions, which bundle hardware, and software with GIS systems development services.

BISAG provides a full complement of specialized services in implementing end-to-end GeoSpatial Technology applications in the areas of Ground Control Survey,Digital Photogrammetry, Digital Terrain / Elevation Models and Contouring, Vector Data Capture, Digital Orthophotography and Ortho-mosaicing, Image Analysis and Interpretation for Thematic Mapping, Cadastral / Parcel Mapping, GIS Database Design and Development, Map Creation / Updation and Finishing, Data Migration/Conversion and Format Translation, Software Development and Customization, Geodatabase Modeling as well as high-end Domain & GeoSpatial Technical Consulting and Support.BISAG has strengthened its range of high-end GeoSpatial services in large-scale mapping by using advanced Photogrammetry and D-GPS technologies to cover elevation modelling, surface modelling and true ortho-photo generation.

BISAG offers comprehensive GIS/PHOTOGRAMMETRIC solutions over large geographical areas. These include solutions and services in the areas of mapping, cartography, imaging, photogrammetry and utility / environment resource management. BISAG provides solutions based on Remote Sensing, using Multi-spectral data, for specific applications like agricultural crop monitoring, watershed management, forest fire mapping etc.

BISAG also offers leading-edge Mapping – GIS solutions for disaster management and specialized needs of Public Safety agencies like police, fire and ambulance services. Additionally, a full complement of e-governance solutions is also offered, to address varying GIS and MIS needs of governments and municipal corporations.

BISAG’s main objectives are

To setup a State Natural Resource Management System (SNRMS).

To develop approaches for integrated resources data management.

To promote the use of SATCOM networks for distant interactive training and education in the State.

To provide services/consultancy based on specific user needs in the field of Remote Sensing and GIS.

To provide wider usage of geo-spatial applications through simultaneous support systems / software to concurrent users.

Gujarat govt. note:Union Cabinet gives status of National Institute to BISAG

Gandhinagar: Chief Minister Vijaybhai Rupani today heartily thanked Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi and Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister for Law and Justice, Communications and Electronics and Information Technology for giving status of national institute to Gujarat’s Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG).

This decision was taken in the meeting of Union Cabinet held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister in New Delhi.

Earlier, the Prime Minister had given status of ‘Institute of National Importance’ to Jamnagar Ayurved University, Gujarat, in January 2020. Later during the budget of current year, the Centre announced to make Gujarat’s Forensic Science University and Raksha University as the national institutes. And, now this is the 4th gift given to Gujarat.

Since 2003, the BISAG has played a significant role in social economic development through developmental plans and works using satellite as a medium in agriculture, soil and land use, urban land use, water resources, water shades, forest – environment, geology, marine application and others fields.
As a result of giving status of national institute to the BISAG, its scope and implementation would be widened. An effective launch of the Geographic Information System (GIS) projects would be made for the implementation of widened activities. And, for the scope and implementation of the activities, assistance would be given for research and development, and technology development.

Here, it should be noted that the various departments of Gujarat, more than 20 ministries of the Union Government and several state governments are taking help of the BIGAS for the purpose of ‘Good Governance’.

DeshGujarat