Guwahati: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is going to set up a research centre in Guwahati for start-ups, academicians, environmentalists and entrepreneurs and a decision in this regard was taken at a meeting between Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and ISRO Chairman Dr A S Kiran Kumar held at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport here on Thursday.
An official source informed that ISRO would set up such a research facility in Assam to explore the possibility of using geospatial technology, which includes data generated through Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Satellite Remote Sensing for expediting development of Assam and using the remote sensing technology for accurate flood warning system, prevention of soil erosion and land slide to name a few.
Chief Minister Sonowal requested the ISRO Chairman Dr A S Kiran Kumar to integrate space technology for the overall development of the State. He informed Dr Kiran Kumar that Assam government would provide land to the ISRO free of cost for opening the research centre.
Along with other objectives the research centre will be mandated to be used extensively for collecting and interpreting satellite data over the last few decades which can be made accessible to young researchers through this Centre in Guwahati.
Sonowal also informed that the Assam government would ink an MoU with the Department of Space for leveraging the potentials of the State for using space technology. Once the MoU is signed both State Government and ISRO would work together for the development of the region.
Sonowal requested Dr Kiran Kumar to integrate space technology with Act East Policy of Government of India so that space technology could be used as a bridge between North East and other South East Asian countries.
Sonowal sought ISRO’s help for drawing a broad remote sensing map to stop the alleged illegal trade on the natural resources. He also sought ISRO’s help to use space technology as a deterrent against deforestation which is largely responsible for sedimentation and siltation of Brahmaputra river bed. Sonowal hoped that both State Government and ISRO could work together in carrying out survey in studying the depth of the Brahmaputra river to help the state government’s proposed move of dredging the Brahmaputra river to improve navigation and mitigation of flood.