Dehradun: In a major step towards improving transparency, accuracy, and coordination in infrastructure planning, the Uttarakhand government has made geo-spatial technology-based mapping mandatory for all development projects costing more than ₹10 crore.
The directive was issued by Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan during a two-day workshop held at the Secretariat on Thursday. He emphasized that modern geospatial tools will play a crucial role in strengthening planning and execution across the state.
PM GatiShakti Platform and New Data App Launched
The Chief Secretary participated in the launch of the “Compilation of PM GatiShakti Use Cases 2.0” and a newly developed mobile application for departmental data collection by the Planning Department.
He said that geo-spatial technology enables the collection, analysis, and visualization of location-based data, making it highly effective for infrastructure development and governance.
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Geo-Spatial Technology to Transform Hill State Planning
Highlighting its importance, the Chief Secretary said that the PM GatiShakti portal and geo-spatial systems will be especially beneficial for a mountainous state like Uttarakhand.
The technology will help in planning and monitoring key infrastructure projects such as:
- Roads and highways
- Power lines
- Drinking water schemes
- Railway projects
- Buildings and dams
He added that it will improve project location accuracy and ensure better inter-departmental coordination.
Integrated Data System to Improve Inter-Department Coordination
The Chief Secretary stressed that the biggest advantage of the system will be data integration across departments.
He urged all departments to upload accurate and updated information regularly on the portal, stating that better data quality will directly improve project outcomes.
According to him, this system will significantly enhance coordination and help avoid duplication of development schemes.
PM GatiShakti to Be Used in Finance Committee Meetings
The Chief Secretary directed that the PM GatiShakti platform must be mandatorily used in expenditure finance committee meetings to ensure more accurate and comprehensive project evaluation.
He also instructed that:
- Site selection committees must use geo-spatial mapping for all projects above ₹10 crore
- All newly approved projects should be uploaded to the PM GatiShakti portal
- This system will help eliminate duplication and improve coordination among departments
Master Resource Persons to Be Appointed in All Departments
To strengthen implementation, the Chief Secretary instructed all departments to identify Master Resource Persons.
He suggested prioritizing employees who voluntarily take responsibility for the role. These personnel will help in technical coordination and capacity building.
He also emphasized integrating the newly launched application with the state’s ‘Unnati’ progress portal.
Training and Capacity Building Emphasized
The Chief Secretary directed departments to participate regularly in workshops and seek training from expert institutions to improve technical understanding and implementation capacity.
Senior officials including Principal Secretaries L. F. Fanai, R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretaries Dr. Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Dr. S. N. Pandey, and Sridhar Babu Addanki were present at the event.
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