Plan to use satellite images to monitor projects in NE

Government is planning to monitor various projects in Northeast through satellite images.
Satellite images using space technology can be effectively used for planning and evaluating the progress of various developmental projects in North Eastern states, Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jitendra Singh said at a meeting of here today.
Considering the fact that the Department of Space already has its establishment in Shillong by the name North-Eastern Space Application Centre (NESAC), this should not be a difficult proposition, he said.
Singh issued directions for conducting a meeting of the officials of Space Department and the DoNER Ministry at an early date and work out a plan as to how to go about this plan.

The Minister said the North East, with its difficult topography and constraints of accessibility, offers an ideal case for using satellite images of roads and other construction works for their precise assessment.
The Lat-Long (Latitude and Longitude) images obtained from satellites can also help in verification of the reports regarding the completion of work obtained through other means by actually picking up the precise location at which the work has been done, he said.
Secretary DoNER Naveen Verma made a detailed presentation focusing on Northeast where he said about Rs 500 crore havs been earmarked in the current union budget for installing solar pumps in Eastern and North-Eastern India.

Referring to the DoNER Minister's suggestion to offer incentives to youth who opt for startup initiatives in North East, Verma said the Department is working on different options including venture fund, offering 30 per cent of loss to be borne by the Ministry.