The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) seems to have come up with better answer for Google Earth with the announcement of the launch of its IRS (Indian Remote Sensing) image portal. The new image portal of ISRO called Bhuvan is supposed to operate more efficiently and powerfully than Google Earth. ISRO has also decided to launch an information portal under the name Bhu Sampada. The projects are likely to be completed by March 2009.

 

According to ISRO chairman Madhavan Nair, the launch of these two portals will provide new dimension to mapping technology of India. The portals will be capable of providing satellite images and thematic maps to the users. These collected data can be utilised for development purposes. He further said that ISRO has developed these portals to enable people to meet their information demand.

 

Madhavan Nair said that IRS data will help to undertake research works which can be utilised to sort out the problems of water scarcity in many parts of the country by enhancing the water use. The new technology will be able to trace out wastelands and find out solutions to make these lands useful for cultivation. Madhavan Nair was speaking at inaugural function of the Indian National Cartographic Association (INCA) Congress in Gandhinagar.