Kerala takes lead in setting up a State Spatial Data Infrastructure
State Government approves Rs. 937 lakhs and paves way for increased GIS based applications; A Geo portal and Clearing House to be set up with gateway to access web resources and Geospatial data content
-- Kerala Government has taken the lead to create, maintain and deliver geospatial data and metadata for their external clients, in real time. It has announced setting up of a Spatial Data Infrastructure called Kerala State Spatial Data Infrastructure (KSSDI) and the State Government has already approved Rs. 937 lakhs for the project. 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 sector, the non-profit sector, academia and by citizens in general.
The Geo portal once set up will allow the users spread across the Internet, to view and query the spatial information and the related maps. KSSDI will act as a web-gateway to access geospatial data content with facility to search, locate and publish geospatial data which the end users can access, download, integrate, share and publish in response to the needs of diverse user groups. The portal will maintain process, store, distribute and improve the utilization of geo-spatial data for planners, decision makers and public.
According to Dr. Ajay Kumar, Secretary for IT, Government of Kerala, "The Kerala SSDI is a major initiative in Kerala, to satisfy data exchanges between users and provide integrated spatial information services. The SSDI is the next logical step of National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) set up at the national level and Kerala is one of the first states in the country to take this initiative forward".
Kerala Government had set up a technical committee headed by Dr. Ajay Kumar, Secretary (IT) and Dr. Samsudin, Scientist, Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS) as Convenor and comprising of members from various organizations including, NIC, KSITM, KELTRON, KSCSTE, KSREC, CESS, among others to study the various aspects of setting up of Kerala SSDI. Based on their study, the State Government has invited proposals from consulting firms to establish a Geo portal and Clearing House for the SSDI on a turnkey basis and has already approved Rs. 937 lakhs for the project for a 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 website www.itmission.kerala.gov.in.
The KSSDI would be located in Tecnopark adjoining the new State Data Centre. The proximity with the State Data Centre is expected to bring in synergies for the State Spatial Data Infrastructure.
Said Dr. Samsudin, Scientist, Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS), "The objective of the KSSDI is to create a reliable and supporting environment to access geographically related information using a minimum set of standard practices, protocols and specifications. With sustained support of the Government, we aim for the Geo portal to be operational by August 2010".
Government of Kerala is also 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.
Notes to Editor
About Kerala IT:
Kerala IT is a Government of Kerala initiative offering a single window to a world of opportunities to IT companies, Professionals, Investors, Developers and Service providers alike in the state of Kerala. Kerala IT has many initiatives in the state of Kerala conceived to be developed on a 'Hub and Spoke' model of development. Technopark-Thiruvananthapuram, Infopark-Kochi and Cyberpark-Kozhikode shall act as the hubs while satellite centers are being developed at Kollam, Ambalapuzha, Cherthala, Thrissur, Kannur and Kasaragod. The IT parks have an association with Kerala State Information Technology Mission (KSITM) and Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Ltd. (KSITI) as well. KSITM is an autonomous nodal IT implementation agency for Department of Information Technology, Government of Kerala, which provides managerial support to various initiatives of the Department. KSITI is the apex company promoted by Government of Kerala for the development of IT Infrastructure. The Company will undertake the setting up of Technocity, Phase IV of Technopark, and will also float location specific SPVs for establishing IT Parks across the state.
About Kerala State Information Technology Mission (KSITM)
KSITM is a Society registered under the Travancore Cochin Literary Scientific & Charitable Societies Registration Act (Act 12 of 1955). It is an autonomous nodal IT implementation agency for Department of Information Technology, Government of Kerala which provides managerial support to various initiatives of the Department. The Governing body of KSITM is chaired by the Hon'ble Minister for IT. Secretary-IT is the chairman of the Executive Committee of KSITM. The Director KSITM is the convenor of the meetings of GB and EC.