Govt launches centre with modern-day tech for better governance, services

SHILLONG, Dec 23: In a bid to provide better governance and services with the help of satellite imaging and drone technology, the state government on Thursday launched Meghalaya GIS & UAV Centre at Secretariat.
After inaugurating the centre, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said, “This is a centre that will use one of the latest technologies on satellite imaging and drone technology to ensure that we are able to provide better governance and services and also monitor the overall implementation of the different schemes throughout the district and the state.”
The centre will also assist the government in conducting aerial mapping of locations, transport medical supplies, aerial spraying of fertilisers, etc.
Informing that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) currently are surveying the traffic situation in and around Shillong, Conrad said, “We have communicated to the SP’s office that we can start supporting them by giving them live feeds and images regarding the traffic. We are hopeful police will be able to use the services immediately and I am sure that a drone view will help them manage things in a better manner.”
“Similarly, drone technology can be very helpful and supportive. In difficult and critical situations like flood issues, law and order situations, drones can be helpful for the administration and the government to make important and critical decisions,” he added.
Conrad also informed that the centre will rope in tech-savvy youngsters who will be trained in drone technology to become drone operators and other GIS-mapping facilities.