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| source: regnews.in |
Literally meaning the power of speed, the term Gati shakti invokes the powerful image of high-speed vehicles & locomotives zipping through a fluid network of transport and providing last-mile connectivity to people, goods, and services across the country. The upcoming projects of this undertaking are a part of the capital expenditure, the purpose of which is to generate long-term economic growth. This is achieved through the multiplier effect. As explained by the Member of Parliament Dr. Amar Patnaik, this effect works on the principle that the change in the rupee value of the output provided by these projects is higher than the change in the rupee value of the expenditure incurred in their execution. This insures long-term gains for the economy.
a common digital platform for information gathering and assessment by the stakeholders to help them synergize their work. This platform is made possible by the use of GIS software, a standout feature of the Gati Shakti program.
However, he points out, that the biggest factor which negates the multiplier effect is the time and cost overruns in the execution of these projects. This generally is a result of a lack of planning, identifying risk factors, and poor coordination between various stakeholders. The government plans to address this issue by creating a common digital platform for information gathering and assessment by the stakeholders to help them synergize their work. This platform is made possible by the use of GIS software, a standout feature of the Gati Shakti program.
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| source: whatech.com |
What is GIS?
To imagine GIS in its simplest form, we may think of Google maps, a tool that superimposes data like roads, terminals & important buildings as layers over a map.
GIS stands for Geographic Information System. It is a system used for planning and decision-making through the use of geography. It involves the use of software that helps capture & analyze data on maps. The maps themselves are obtained through real-time satellite imagery. To imagine GIS in its simplest form, we may think of Google maps, a tool that superimposes data like roads, terminals & important buildings as layers over a map. It also provides an option to switch them on or off at our convenience. The premise of the GIS is the same. Except, the GIS software runs on a powerful engine capable of collating & processing data which is much more complex in nature.
Layers in GIS can not only be in the form of spatial data like buildings, roads, & terminals but also statistical data like land revenue, literacy rate, life expectancy & market data to name a few.
For example, layers in GIS can not only be in the form of spatial data like buildings, roads, & terminals but also statistical data like land revenue, literacy rate, life expectancy & market data to name a few. The function of the software is to superimpose these layers over geographical maps like terrain, topographical, landform, or land use maps. Even reference data like notes, handouts & images, can be linked to the maps. This collated data helps in analyses for better decision-making. Presently, the railways use it extensively to find optimum routes for the tracks, and companies use it to study potential markets to open their retail stores. The police make use of it to track the patterns of criminals. Both licensed and open-source GIS software are available in the market. A few of the popular ones are ArcGIS pro, QGIS3, MapInfoProfessional & Feature Manipulation engine.
Statistical data which is otherwise recorded in sheets, tables, graphs, and charts can be represented on the maps as layers. This makes visualization of the data much easier
The GIS provides two-way processing of the data. Statistical data which is otherwise recorded in sheets, tables, graphs, and charts can be represented on the maps as layers. This makes visualization of the data much easier for decision-makers. While on the other hand, the software can process spatial data & provide it to the user in the form of statistical data for analyses.
How the Indian Govt is leveraging GIS to its advantage?
To ensure the seamless execution of the projects under Gati Shakti, the government has created a centralized GIS portal for 16 infrastructure-related departments of the center. As per the government, all Ministries and Departments will now be able to visualize, review and monitor the progress of cross-sectoral projects, through the GIS platform. Each department can add and update the data of their ongoing or proposed project by superimposing the layers on the shared geographical maps prepared with ISRO imagery provided by BiSAG N.
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| source:supplychaintribe.com |
all Ministries and Departments will now be able to visualize, review and monitor the progress of cross-sectoral projects, through the GIS platform
This data becomes available to the rest of the departments to study and review. This hitherto was not the case as the planning of each department took place in a vacuum. Departments can now check for projects that overlap and take corrective measures during the planning phase itself rendering the need for dispute resolutions obsolete. Conversely, clear visualization on maps helps ascertain if two or more projects can be effectively merged to optimize costs.
To this date over 600 layers have been mapped by various ministries, some of which include the network of rail lines, highways, corridors, inland waterways, and telecom uploaded by their respective departments. The database also includes non-spatial data like the scope and status of projects in spreadsheets, photographs, etc. Collectively, this entire mapping and database on the common portal are called PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. (NMP)
To this date over 600 layers have been mapped by various ministries, some of which include the network of rail lines, highways, corridors, inland waterways, and telecom
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| source: geospatialworld.net |
The clear advantage of a common platform is that instead of working in silos, each department is now on the same page sharing the same information. As per the government, synchronized planning helps tackle the traditional problem of lack of coordination where, while one agency constructed a road, the other dug it up for the laying of cables causing wasteful expenditure and time overruns.
In an interview, special secretary for logistics Amrit Lal Meena, who heads the Gati Shakti mission, provides a few examples of the growing advantages of GIS. For instance, the telecom ministry gained cognizance of the 1300 km Delhi-Mumbai highway on the GIS platform and decided to lay optical fibers on this stretch saving itself the cost of acquiring land for the purpose. Another big advantage is the clarity in predicting challenges beforehand. Meena added that recently the railways mapped their newly proposed dedicated freight corridors on the NMP and realized that the proposed corridors passed through the areas of natural wealth like forests, mines, and also through industrial parks. The proposed corridors were thus realigned for an optimum route. If approved, the new alignment would save on costly and time-consuming clearances otherwise required for the previous routes.
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| source: by richi chacon-medium |
the telecom ministry gained cognizance of the 1300 km Delhi-Mumbai highway on the GIS platform and decided to lay optical fibers on this stretch saving itself the cost of acquiring land for the purpose
Future of GIS
If Gati Shakti is a boat, then we may think of GIS as the rudder that helps in its path correction and smooth sailing. However, for dealing with logistical challenges at the micro level, the incorporation of state governments into this platform is of utmost importance. This is because, at the level of execution, issues such as disputes of land, overlapping of state and central projects, and clearances by the state government can yet again be a cause of cost overruns. Presently, inspired by the NMP, eight states, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh have started the process of developing their own GIS-based master plans. It is crucial that at this stage, the compatibility of these up & coming systems be tested with that of the NMP for a potential merger in the near future. Moreover, all the states should be encouraged to create such compatible master plans.
for dealing with logistical challenges at the micro level, the incorporation of state governments into this platform is of utmost importance
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| source:fugro.com |
The unmatched potential of GIS is bound to go beyond the scope of Gati Shakti. Almost all the departments and ministries can come under the umbrella of a common GIS portal for information sharing & planning. Apart from transport, GIS will be invaluable to defense logistics, urban planning by local bodies, and other forms of infrastructure undertakings to name a few. But the most interesting aspect of GIS remains the eye-opening revelations when statistics and geography merge.
An Interesting Case
A simple example to understand how superimposing data on geographical maps can reveal interesting facts can be traced back to 1854. Back then, the local authorities of London were able to find the source of the ongoing cholera epidemic by superimposing the layers of two seemingly unrelated data sets on the map of London. That of the occurrences of deaths and the layout of the tubewells. On the map, the tubewells closer to the locations of the highest death occurrences were pinpointed.
the local authorities of London were able to find the source of the ongoing cholera epidemic by superimposing the layers of two seemingly unrelated data sets on the map of London. That of the occurrences of deaths and the layout of the tubewells
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| source: constructiontimes.co.in |
Later, an inspection of these tubewells found them to be infected with the vibrio cholera bacteria. While back then such collation of data was done through manual drafting, GIS software does this digitally. Statistical institutes, too, can now superimpose their surveyed data on the requisite maps using GIS and process useful information using the software. Studies and research of this merged data can give key insights & solutions to the economic, social & logistical challenges faced by the country.
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