GIS

India’s open data portal launched with over 3600 datasets

India has officially inaugurated Data Portal India, a portal for the public to access and use datasets and applications provided by ministries and departments of the Government of India. The Portal functions as a single access point for open government datasets across the country. Currently, there are about 3500 datasets from 49 government departments available for the public to access and use. The datasets include agriculture, commerce and industry, defence, finance, health, information and broadcasting, energy, transport and water resources, among others. http://data.gov.in/

South Korea to launch crime map

Ministry of Security and Public Administration has revealed its plans to invest US$17.9 m for the development of a “crime map” which will give local authorities access to reports and visualisations on crime hot spots. The map will also provide information related to accidents brought about by natural calamities so as to guide first responders in their resource mobilisation and decision making. www.globalpost.com

Lebanon launches system to develop health map

The Health Ministry of Lebanon has launched an information system meant to develop a geographic health map for the country. The project was implemented with the support of the World Health Organization. www.dailystar.com.lb/News/

Handheld laser mapping device with storage technology

ZEB1, the mobile laser mapping system developed by Australia’s national science agency Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, has now
been equipped with data storage and access technology. The new version is called ZEBDL2600. It uses a robotic technology called Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM). The new ZEB-DL2600 data logger automatically records millions of individual laser scanned measurements captured by the ZEB1, eliminating the need for an additional laptop. It new version has been developed by 3D Laser Mapping. www.prosurv.com

Buddhist sites to be mapped

In a bid to promote tourism at Buddhist historical sites spread across South East Asia, including India, the National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO) in India is coming up with a detailed map along with loads of information on such hotspots located in 11 nations. “This is probably for the first time that such an initiative has been
taken in the world. It is a joint initiative of the Indian and Thai governments and is being funded by the Centre’s science and technology department. Work on the map started after green light was received from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,” said Baisakhi Sarkar, deputy director of NATMO. www.hindustantimes.com

185 crore IT project deal in Bihar, India for Reliance Infra

In a plan to save the Bihar Electricity Board from sinking into big loss, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has taken action to digitalize the customer service partnering with Reliance Infrastructure. Both shook hands for the `185 crore deal. The project is expected to improve billing, load distribution and reduce the lose percent of revenue for the Government as most operations are currently executed manually. The infrastructure giant will also implement automatic meter reading for potential customers and key IT technologies like GIS and network service provision that will boost up the network. www.siliconindia.com

GIS for education and environment in Philippines

National Mapping and Resource Information Authority in the Philippines and the Department of Geodetic Engineering at University of the Philippines and FEATI University have employed SuperGIS Desktop 3.1a and the analysis extensions to promote the use of GIS and achieve positive educational and environmental outcomes. www.supergeotek.com