Latest news with #Uttarakhand@25
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Uttarakhand@25: Surveyor general Makwana maps India's future on geospatial tech revolution
Surveyor general Makwana maps India's future on geospatial tech revolution In a special episode of Uttarakhand@25, a series by The Times of India celebrating 25 years of the state's journey, IAS officer Hitesh Kumar S Makwana, the surveyor general of India, sheds light on how geospatial technology is shaping India's present and future, with Uttarakhand playing a central role in that mission. Makwana, a 1995-batch IAS officer with an academic background in Civil Engineering, Economics, and Public Policy, brings over three decades of experience across urban governance, disaster management, border security, and housing. He currently heads the Survey of India, the country's national mapping agency. Dehradun's historic role in India's mapping legacy Makwana explained that while the Survey of India was initially established by the British in Kolkata in 1767, the headquarters eventually moved to Dehradun in 1951. The city's climate proved ideal for archiving sensitive mapping materials, and its proximity to institutions like IIT Roorkee provided skilled manpower. "Dehradun's role in the evolution of Indian cartography is immense. Even the original copies of the Constitution of India were printed in our Dehradun press,' he shared. The presence of more than 3,000 Survey of India employees in Dehradun during its peak also made the organisation one of the major employment generators in the region. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Much Does a Bali Vacation Really Cost? Liseer Learn More Undo From traditional maps to real-time data Tracing the evolution of the Survey of India, Makwana described the shift from using manual tools like theodolites and chains to modern technologies such as remote sensing, LiDAR, and drones. Where earlier it took 70–80 years to complete a national map, now, with advanced geospatial tools, large-scale maps can be created in under a decade. These high-resolution maps — from a scale of 1:250,000 down to 1:2,000 — are transforming not just planning but also disaster management and urban development. Makwana highlighted the newly announced National Geospatial Mission, which aims to bring all of this data infrastructure together in a unified system, with Survey of India playing a leading role. Uttarakhand-specific projects: From Char Dham to land reforms When asked about Uttarakhand-specific work, Makwana emphasised several projects. The Survey of India had developed trekking maps of the Char Dham route as far back as the 1950s. In recent times, it has carried out aerial surveys of the Ganga basin for flood modelling under the National Hydrology Project and created comprehensive land-use maps for the National Mission for Clean Ganga. Additionally, under the Swamitva scheme, a drone-based survey was conducted in 7,000 villages of Uttarakhand to help residents receive digital land ownership records. This work is being extended to urban areas through the NAXA project, where four towns in the state have been selected for detailed geospatial surveys. Supporting urban planning and disaster preparedness Makwana explained how Survey of India data supports vital decision-making for roads, flood prevention, satellite launches, and more. 'Even ISRO needs to come to us to determine true north before launching a satellite,' he noted. The same data is now being used to predict landslides, monitor land subsidence, and address urban flooding by identifying vulnerable low-lying zones. This allows planners to design better drainage and locate green spaces strategically. Training the next generation To build future capacity, the Survey of India is training Uttarakhand's government staff, while collaborating with institutes like the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing in Dehradun. A certification programme for private citizens is also in the pipeline. Makwana stressed that the role of AI and Machine Learning in analysing massive geospatial datasets is set to expand — but the real challenge lies in training personnel to use these tools effectively. Message to the youth of Uttarakhand Speaking directly to Uttarakhand's youth, Makwana said, 'Sky is the limit. Geospatial technology is a booming sector. With Dehradun being the headquarters of Survey of India, local youth have a golden opportunity to lead the country in this space.' He closed with a call to action: 'Just as India has become a global leader in software, it is now time for us to become global leaders in geospatial technology — and Uttarakhand can be at the heart of that journey.'
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Time of India
Uttarakhand@25: State marks milestone 25th year with green growth, digital push
. Two and a half decades after its separation from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand is marking a remarkable journey of transformation, driven by roads. From just 8,000 km of roadways in 2000 to over 40,000 km today, the state has redefined connectivity, resilience, and sustainability. In the latest episode of the Times of India's 'Uttarakhand @25' Administrative Officer Dr Pankaj Kumar Pandey reflects on the state's transformation from 2000 to 2025. 'When we were separated from Uttar Pradesh, we made a lot of progress. If you compare it with Uttar Pradesh, we had 8000 km of roads in Uttarakhand in 2000. Now we have made 40,000 km,' Pandey said. Uttarakhand@25: Dr Pankaj Kumar Pandey discusses Uttarakhand's infrastructure growth Nearly all villages with populations over 250 are connected, facilitating access to healthcare, education, and markets. Even remote hamlets are being linked under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, though smaller clusters remain pending, he said. The 2013 Kedarnath disaster prompted a major shift toward building 'all-weather' roads. Led by Pandey and backed by the central government, around 900 km of highways, connecting the Chardham sites and areas along the Indo-China border, have since been upgraded to ensure they remain accessible throughout the year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo "In Chardham, we took all the roads and a road from Tanakpur to Lipu Lake, which goes to the China border. We took it in this all-weather road," said Pandey. Uttarakhand's forest cover has increased from 64% to over 70% in 25 years, despite heavy infrastructure investments. All projects undergo Environmental Impact Assessments, with alignment adjusted to preserve protected species like oak and Devdar. Notably, 3,000 trees were transplanted during a four‑lane highway upgrade near Rishikesh. 'We are connecting 16 big temples and will cover major towns and areas with a good road. We are connecting more than 40 villages in Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh and Champawat. We are connecting the villages where people used to move,' he said. Pandey highlights the adoption of cutting-edge methods: cold‑mix technology to reduce air pollution, plastic‑bitumen blends for road durability, and Full‑Depth Reclamation to recycle road material. Thin White Topping is used in water‑prone zones for long-term resilience. "We are using cold mix in the mountains, so there is no pollution from cold mix, there is no smell, there is no smoke, there is no problem. We are using it very successfully," he said. A digital DPR system with drone surveillance and soil‑stabilization techniques is deployed across 200 identified landslide zones. In critical areas, tunnels, such as those in Dhruvdhrupayag and near Lipu Lake, minimize ecological disruption and maintain connectivity. "We have taken the whole system digitally. We have a digital DPR system, everything comes there," said Pandey. Road development serves dual objectives: economic connectivity and security. Arterial roads and vibrant‑village projects link over 40 border villages and tourist circuits such as Lipulekh and Ganga‑Rishikesh. Ring roads and bypasses are in progress to alleviate congestion and support responsible tourism. Initiatives like plastic‑recycle plants and a ban on single‑use plastic at Char Dham are already in place. Pandey concludes that the growth is people centric and environmentally conscious, marking Uttarakhand's quarter‑century milestone as the result of thoughtful governance and sustainable progress.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Time of India
Uttarakhand@25: Tracing the state's journey of progress and possibilities
uttarakhand at 25 As Uttarakhand marks 25 years of its formation, The Times of India presents Uttarakhand@25, a special campaign that reflects on the state's remarkable journey so far while exploring its aspirations for the future. Uttarakhand@25 features conversations with leaders, visionaries and changemakers who have played a key role in driving progress and accelerating the state's development across sectors. Under the leadership of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who recently completed four years in office, Uttarakhand has seen significant progress across multiple fronts. His tenure has been marked by the introduction of key reforms such as the uniform civil code (UCC) and the stringent anti-copying law. The CM has also taken firm action against land encroachment and unlawful religious conversions, reinforcing the state's commitment to law and order. In the last four years, Uttarakhand has taken commendable strides in areas of rail, road, ropeway, and air connectivity. During this period, the Dhami government successfully launched the mukhyamantri udan khatola yojana to introduce air services in remote regions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Significant steps have also been taken to build ropeways to connect pilgrimage destinations in hilly areas. As the Dhami government enters its fifth year, the much-awaited Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is also set to open for traffic. Whether it's ensuring a safe and seamless Char Dham Yatra for devotees, implementing initiatives to boost tourism, or accelerating infrastructure development across the state, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has focused on strengthening Uttarakhand's core sectors while prioritizing sustainable growth and public welfare. In an effort to promote local artisans and create employment opportunities, the Dhami government has launched House of Himalayas (HoH) — an umbrella brand dedicated to showcasing and marketing authentic, handcrafted products from Uttarakhand, while preserving the state's rich cultural heritage. Uttarakhand@25 captures the spirit of a dynamic and rising Uttarakhand. From highlighting grassroots innovations and infrastructural milestones to celebrating cultural heritage, the campaign aims to offer a comprehensive and inspiring look at the state's journey and the road ahead. The campaign launches with an inspiring conversation between chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and journalist Richa Anirudh, where he reflects on Uttarakhand's development journey so far and shares his vision for the state's future. The other interviews in this series feature key policymakers and ministers from the state including forest minister Subodh Uniyal, Dr Pankaj Kumar Pandey, IAS, secretary, road transport & infrastructure, Amit Kumar Sinha, IPS, special principal secretary of sports and surveyor general of India Hitesh Kumar S Makwana.
