“Availability of aerial photographs for educational purposes in fact is a major step and arrangement should be made to make these photographs available to the users at various outlets in the country”, said Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of State for Science and Technology and Ocean Development while releasing declassified aerial photographs in New Delhi on December 15, 2004.
On the occasion, Dr P Nag, Surveyor General of India mentioned that making declassified aerial photographs available to educational institutes and universities is a revolutionary effort. Now, one can just order any declassified aerial photograph at Survey of India sales counter in New Delhi and get it in a just few minutes time. “There has been a demand for aerial photographs as aerial photography is becoming a part of curriculum of various educational institutes, Dr Nag added.
Given the fact that aerial photographs are treated as classified documents in India and procedure to procure these photographs takes time in getting procedural clearance, it is encouraging that Survey of India has responded to user needs and it is expected that such facility will be available throughout the country very soon.
