Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated a Regional Meet on Space Applications in Gandhinagar, calling for wider adoption of space-based technology to enhance the efficiency of public administration. The event marked a critical step toward realizing the futuristic vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “Viksit Bharat 2047” through scientific and technological innovation.
The meeting saw active participation from representatives of Gujarat, Diu, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, as well as top ISRO scientists, senior bureaucrats, and domain experts.
Space Tech for Smarter Governance
In his keynote address, CM Patel underscored the transformative role satellite technology can play in agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure monitoring, and urban planning.
“Satellite-based data and remote sensing offer unmatched capabilities in precision governance. Gujarat is fully committed to aligning its development initiatives with the transformative potential of space applications,” he said.
The initiative supports the Indian Space Policy 2023 and encourages ministries, departments, and government agencies to integrate space-derived inputs for planning, monitoring, and evaluation of developmental programs.
Path to Viksit Bharat 2047
This regional meet is part of a broader strategy to prepare for the 2nd National Conference on “Leveraging Space Technology for Viksit Bharat 2047”, scheduled for August 22, 2025, in New Delhi.
Leading up to the national conference, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Space are conducting state-level workshops across the country to stimulate regional preparedness and innovation.
Key Dignitaries and Expert Collaboration
The Gandhinagar meet featured the presence of:
- Nilesh Desai, Director, ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad
- Mona Khandhar, Principal Secretary, Gujarat Department of Science and Technology
- Senior scientists from ISRO-SAC
Officials from Gujarat’s Science & Technology Department
Participants deliberated on technology demonstrations, use-case presentations, and collaborative strategies to advance space-based solutions in state and local governance.
A Regional Push for National Transformation
The event provided a platform for cross-governmental brainstorming, aligning regional development goals with India’s space sector reforms. Officials discussed how high-resolution satellite data, AI-integrated geospatial analytics, and remote sensing tools can support:
- Crop monitoring and water resource management
- Real-time disaster alerts and mitigation planning
- Smart city infrastructure and environmental tracking
The conference reaffirmed India’s commitment to leveraging indigenous space capabilities for inclusive, tech-driven growth, especially at the grassroots level.
