The Indian Budget 2004-2005 has proposed a marginal hike for the Space Department. A sum of Rs 27.31 billion has been allocated against last year’s Rs 22.74 billion. A major portion of this will be spent on space research, launch vehicle technology, satellite technology and a tracking network and range facility. Rs 550 million have been allocated to the Indian Lunar Mission ‘Chandrayan’.
The National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) of the Budget mentions agriculture and infrastructure as one of its seven economic objectives. The GIS technology and allied technologies may find their applications to infrastructural sectors of growth.
There is much scope of the utilization of GIS related technologies to enhance the various space research projects of the country. The Budget has highlighted ‘water crisis’ and has proposed massive schemes to restore, renovate and repair all existing water bodies related to agriculture. There is also special mention of water harvesting schemes ,flood control measures etc. GIS related technologies have a lot of potential to make significant contributions in this area.
