National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) has come
into being due to his continued efforts.. Multi disciplinary
spatial data is being harnessed and spatial data interoperability
is now possible in India due the standards brought in
by NSDI under his stewardship. State Spatial Data Infrastructure
in the states of Delhi, Karnataka, West Bengal, Haryana,
Kerala and the North East have also come up due to the
innovative methodologies evolved by him. The concept
of a Distrct Geoportal and a Village Geospatial Information
Systems has been demonstrated and is being upscaled.
Conceiving, developing and nurturing of new institutions
are his strong attributes. Developed Defence Institute
for Geopsatial Information and Training (DIGIT) national
geotechnical Facility (NGF), NSDI and prepared road
map for expansion of existing Indian Institute of Surveying
and Mapping into full fledged deemed university. His
dynamic leadership has taken NRDMS programme to a new
heights and the programme has increased in size, funding
and its relevance to society. Established a wide network
of institutions and organizations both in India and
abroad in the field of geospatial technologies
As an elected Director of the Board of Open Geospatial
Consortium (OGC) his initiatives have brought OGC technologies
in the country especially interoperability tools. As
a part of OGC's program on Sensor Web Enablement, frame
work for India is developed which includes sensor planning
services, observational measurements and web enabled
communications protocols. He is the first Emeritus Director
of OGC Board.
For the first time in the country a demonstrative project
of 3D mapping using all contemporary and emerging technologies
were used for the Chandnichowk area of Delhi. Based
on this, Delhi Government is creating Delhi State Spatial
Data Infrastructure Kolleru Lake (the largest fresh
water lake in the country) Ecosystem restoration project
conceived and is being done with MOEF, Government of
AP, and a number of institutions and universities in
the country
Rural Automatic Weather Station (RAWS), developed with
IIT Madras which will help in providing micro weather
advisories and insuring the rain.. Marine GIS, Sensor
Web Enablement, Hyperspectral Remote Sensing, Geo ICT
, Digital Heritage Project of Hampi and development
of models for spatio temporal analysis, disaster mitigation
using geospatial technologies, new data acquisition
technologies such as Air Borne Laser Terrain Mapping
- have enriched the inter disciplinary research. The
Bio Geo databases programme for environmental modeling
in Himachal Pradesh, North East and the Western Ghats
has attracted the attention of the UNESCO for providing
scientific inputs for achieving the targets of Madrid
Action Plan.
He has been on the peer review board of Global Spatial
Data infrastructure (GSDI) during the 2009 and 2010
and also authored a book - 'Indian NSDI - A passionate
Saga'. He has published over 40 papers and 11 books
and monographs. The first State and District Geoportals
of Karnataka and Prakasam in AP and new programme of
Marine GIS were launched due to his active involvement
and technical contribution. He is member/Chairman of
a number of Expert Committees including the committee
for mapping on 1:10,000 and evolving a strategy for
Geospatial Education. His expertise was utilized by
the Supreme Court in cases involving complex land issues
as Chairman/Expert of Committees.
He has been recipient of a number of honours and awards.
He was awarded Dolezal Prize of the International Society
for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Bhoovikas Samman,Excellence
in Science award from the Delhi Telugu Academy, Tata
Scholarship for Study Abroad and the Netherlands Government
Fellowship. Papers presented by him have won prizes
from the National Research and Development Corporation.
His paper on the Neighbourhood Mapping with school children,
presented at the Cambridge Conference in 2003 won the
best paper prize and the conference passed a resolution
to adopt the concept in other countries
