Hyderabad: GeoSmart India 2024, India’s premier geospatial technology conference, commenced at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) here on Monday.
With the forward-looking theme, Powering Digital Public Infrastructure Through Geospatial Knowledge, the four-day conference aims to explore how digitization, digitalization, and digital transformation are reshaping governance by integrating geospatial data with advanced technologies.
Minister for Urban Affairs of Arunachal Pradesh Balo Raja inaugurated the event.
He stated that as the Minister for Urban Affairs, their vision was to drive Arunachal Pradesh towards sustainable and inclusive growth. By prioritizing smart infrastructure, modernizing land administration, and enhancing air transport, we are building the foundation for a brighter future,” he said.
“Through initiatives like the Arun Door Sanchar project and advancements in geospatial technology, we are bridging the digital divide and harnessing innovation to make real-time, informed decisions. Our commitment is to create accessible, environmentally conscious, and well-planned urban spaces while ensuring responsible resource management to unlock the state’s full potential,” he added.
Sanjay Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Geospatial World, emphasised the vital role of space infrastructure in the digital ecosystem. He explained that Earth observation satellites, positioning satellites (GNSS), and communication satellites (Satcom) collectively bridge space and surface technologies.
Pawan Goenka, Chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), elaborated on the complementary nature of space and geospatial technologies.
He remarked, “Satellites provide critical data for navigation, power planning, disaster management, and communication. Geospatial technologies extract insights from this data, driving innovation across industries like logistics, defense and agriculture.
He said, “Today, over 250 startups in the space industry are leading innovation, with private investment exceeding $125 million last year. This shift toward privatization is pivotal for India’s ambitious space goals, including the Chandrayaan missions and beyond.”
