The Hindu Business Line : Kerala setting up spatial data infrastructure

The objective of the SSDI is to provide a basis for spatial data discovery, evaluation and application for users and providers within all levels of Government, the commercial as well as the non-profit sector, academia and the citizens in general.

STANDARD PRACTICES

It would also aim at creating a reliable and supporting environment to access geographically related information using a minimum set of standard practices, protocols and specifications.

The State Government had set up a technical committee headed by Dr Ajay Kumar, Secretary (IT), to study various aspects of setting up of the KSSDI. Dr Shamsudin, scientist at the Centre for Earth Science Studies (Cess), was the Convenor of the committee and members were chosen from stakeholder institutions.

Based on their study, the State Government has invited proposals from consulting firms to establish a geo-portal and clearing house for the KSSDI on a turnkey basis and has already approved Rs 9.37 crore for the five-year project.

The process of selection of the turnkey partner has already been initiated and the Request for Proposal is available at Kerala State IT Mission Web site www. itmission.kerala.gov.in.

KSSDI will be located at Technopark, adjoining the new State Data Centre. The proximity to this facility is expected to bring in synergies for the KSSDI.

The State Government is proposing to set up a separate management structure for KSSDI. Seven technical posts have been created for the purpose, including that of Director, Remote Sensing (GIS Specialist), and Spatial Data Officer.

TAKING LEAD

Kerala is taking the lead to create, maintain and deliver geospatial data and metadata for their external clients in real time, an official spokesman said.

Once set up, the geo-portal will allow users to view and query the spatial information and the related maps on the Internet. KSSDI will act as a Web-gateway to access data content with facility to search, locate and publish geospatial data.

The end users can access, download, integrate, share and publish these in response to meet their diverse needs.

The portal will maintain process, store, distribute and improve the utilisation of the data for planners, decision makers and the public.

KSSDI is a major initiative aimed at facilitating data exchanges between users and providing integrated spatial information services.

It is the next logical step towards streamlining the larger National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) at the apex level. Kerala is among the first states to take this initiative forward at the State-level, according to Dr Ajay Kumar.

“With the sustained support from the State Government, we think we would be able to get the geo portal up and going by August 2010,” Dr Shamsuddin said.

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