India opens up remote sensing data sector

Bangalore, Jul 5 (PTI) Remote sensing data and imagery
with a very high resolution will now be made available under a
new policy unveiled by Indian Government to benefit more users
in a move that will help infrastructure development in urban
areas.
The 2011 Remote Sensing Data Policy (RSDP), which lifts
some restrictions in force for the past 10 years, came against
the backdrop of a CAG report had found that almost 80 per cent
of images of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) were
idling.
The earlier policy that allowed all data of resolutions
up to 5.8 metres to be distributed on non-discriminatory and
'as requested' basis by ISRO has been brought down to up to
one metre, K Radhakrishnan, Secretary in the Department of
Space, said Tuesday. The old 2001 policy mandated that ISRO
could release only data up to 5.8 metre resolution.
Radhakrishnan said the new policy liberalises and opens
up the sector and would see more users getting data.
Restrictions as per the earlier policy, enunciated in
2001, have been removed, he said, adding that now, there is no
bar on publishing of high resolution, remote sensing data of
up to one metre resolution.
The top space official said high resolution data is
required for infrastructure planning and other development
activities.
According to RSDP-2011, all data of better than one
metre resolution, however, shall be screened and cleared by
the appropriate agency prior to distribution with a view to
protect national security interests.