Time to Walk the Talk

Politicians and senior administrators often wax eloquent on the power and utility of data –particularly geospatial data.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the G20 Leader’s Summit in Bali in November 2022, pledged that the principle of “Data for Development” is integral to India’s G20 presidency.

The recently-announced Geospatial Policy purports to open the doors to geospatial data for Indians, and with some limitations to foreign entities as well.

Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister for Science and Technology says that the Indian government urgently needs accurate geospatial information for efficient project management and operations and policy development in order to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj avers that spatial planning is something that becomes eminently capable of catching the popular imagination through the creation of Digital Twins. The ministry aims to engage with Panchayats towards a participatory, non-top-down approach.

But in the wake of Joshimath, scientists and researchers associated with various government departments were gagged from disseminating thoroughly researched spatial insights that shed light on the magnitude of land subsidence, and its possible causes. Due to this sweeping injunction, Joshimath, quite literally, sinks out of public gaze.

The fact that studies by government agencies were gagged in the name of “creating confusion” in itself sows uncertainty in the minds of the scientific community and the public. Citizens have the right to access data, no matter how scary it is.

The New Geospatial Data Policy is clear that any Indian citizen has the right to access, analyze, and publish geospatial data. There are no restrictions for data up to one meter map resolution, barring a restricted list of attributes only and not areas, as was the norm earlier. Notwithstanding such a broad and widely acclaimed policy, a gag order was issued on the publication of the data analysis of Joshimath area by government laboratories.

It is high time to think about the true utility of data, particularly geospatial data. In the usage of data, the administrative angle cannot be ignored.

There is a need to take a holistic view of geospatial applications. It is not just resolution or attributes or for that matter policy guidelines. There is a need for the administrators, scientists, engineers, and politicians to take such a view and not cherry pick individual items. Geospatial data is indeed helpful, and gagging it is counterproductive.

A data-driven approach to development is excellent. India does need accurate geospatial information for efficient project management and operations, program creation, and policy developments in order to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Engaging with Panchayats to tell them that Digital Twins can’t be top-driven is an excellent move.

Are the same approaches being used in the revised planning for Joshimath? Just thinking out loud!