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3D Maps could have Prevented Attacks on Hotels|
- By CXOtoday Staff, Dec 23, 2008 1557 hrs IST
- Tags : Geospatial imagery, 3D images, Kapil Sibal, Mumbai terror attacks, National Spatial Data Infrastructure NSDI
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Indian security forces need to effectively implement and use geospatial technology for targeted counter-terrorism operations, as it provides 3D imagery of a conflict area and can eventually help in saving lives, Kapil Sibal union minister for science and technology said yesterday.
"With geospatial technology, our forces could have had a three-dimensional view of the Taj hotel and how to access each room," said Sibal, referring to the recent terror attacks in Mumbai, including one on the sea-facing Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel.
>The technology is effective in tightening maritime security. On the route that terrorists took to infiltrate India for the Mumbai attacks, Sibal said, "With access to such technology, it is possible to identify all vessels entering our waters. This will make our coast lines more secure."
"You can get such information even on mobile phones. And with other operational devices like night-vision, security forces could have easily located the enemy. Such technology is already available," he said at a seminar on geospatial technologies in India, jointly organized by National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
Its not that the government is oblivious to the uses of geospatial imagery. In fact the Delhi government has decided to use geospatial data for traffic planning during the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in the capital. Security agencies are also waking up to the technology. But the defence ministry will have to permit its use, said he. "For three and a half years now we have been trying to get the ministry of defence and other agencies to cooperate in the mapping of various areas, which is crucial for this kind of technology to be effective."
Last month, in a first of its kind move, the Indian government had formally appointed a VAR to distribute digital maps of India.
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