Panel to examine GAGAN's potential in non-aviation sectors

The Civil Aviation Ministry has set up an inter-ministerial group to examine the potential of the GAGAN satellite-based navigation project for use in non- aviation sectors.
The group, to be headed by Civil Aviation Secretary Ashok Lavasa, would examine the potential of the GPS Aided Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system for being used in non-aviation sectors and develop appropriate work programmes using its signals to benefit diverse users, an official release said.
The Rs 774 crore GAGAN system, jointly developed by Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is a futuristic facility which enables transition of the air traffic management system to satellite -based seamless navigation across continents.

It would cover the airspace from Australia to Africa and from southeast and west Asia to China and Russia. India would be the fourth nation after the US, Europe and Japan to use this technology.
Earlier, an industry expert had suggested that GAGAN's capabilities could be used for a variety of purposes as well as leased to neighbouring countries to help them navigate their air traffic.
"The technology can be leased by India to neighbouring countries to manage their air traffic as well as overflights. Leasing will generate substantial funds for India," William Blair, President of Raytheon India, had told PTI several months ago. US technology firm Raytheon was also associated with GAGAN.

Aviation regulator DGCA certified this first phase of this ambitious Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) programme in December last year.