Desi Google Earth on cards

India will soon have a desi version of Google Earth — the popular satellite-mapping tool that allows you to zoom in on any spot on the planet by using just a PC, writes Prakash Chandra.

India will soon have a desi version of Google Earth — the popular satellite-mapping tool that allows you to zoom in on any spot on the planet by using just a PC.

HT Image

ISRO chief G. Madhavan Nair announced this in Gandhinagar yesterday, while inaugurating the Indian National Cartographic Association (INCA)’s International Congress on Collaborative Mapping and Space Technology. Christened “Bhuvan”, the new program will focus on the sub-continent, mapping the upper land surface and the mineral content beneath.

“This will provide the latest information on our natural resources,” said Dr. Nair, adding “and will be useful in addressing local problems like floods, famines, infrastructure development, education and much more”.

Bhuvan will show images 20 times closer than those taken by Google Earth, and they will be upgraded every year. ISRO officials say the requisite software and infrastructure of Bhuvan are already in place and they hope to have it operational by next March.