NESAC Driving Space-Based Development in Northeast: Jitendra Singh

• Dr. Jitendra Singh reviews NESAC’s space-based initiatives in Meghalaya.
• Geo-spatial mapping of India-Myanmar border and Northeast boundaries underway.
• NESAC implementing nearly 130 projects across the Northeast.
• Minister calls for stronger use of space technology in governance and disaster management.

GG News Bureau
Umiam (Meghalaya), 14th July: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) has emerged as a key institution supporting national security and socio-economic development by leveraging space technology across the Northeast.

During his visit to the NESAC headquarters in Umiam, Meghalaya, the Minister reviewed the Centre’s ongoing programmes and said geo-spatial mapping of the India-Myanmar border and inter-state boundaries in the Northeast is currently in progress. He said these initiatives are strengthening border management while supporting planning and governance in strategically important regions.

Dr. Jitendra Singh was briefed by NESAC Director Dr. S.P. Aggarwal on nearly 130 space application projects, including around 50 completed and 78 ongoing initiatives covering agriculture, forestry, water resources, disaster management, geosciences, urban planning, satellite communication, UAV applications, geoinformatics and capacity building.

The Minister said NESAC has successfully bridged advanced space technology with the developmental needs of the eight Northeastern states by supporting governance, natural resource management and public service delivery.

Calling for greater collaboration between NESAC, the North East Cane and Bamboo Development Council (NECBDC) and state governments, he stressed the need to strengthen bamboo mapping to improve resource planning, promote value addition and generate sustainable livelihoods.

He also urged the Centre to enhance the precision of its flood early warning systems and work with state governments to replicate successful water harvesting models, including the initiative at the Ramakrishna Mission, Cherrapunjee, to improve long-term water security.

Highlighting the strategic importance of geospatial technologies, Dr. Jitendra Singh said NESAC should continue supporting national priorities in border regions while expanding the GeoTourism ‘ManzilNE’ dashboard through greater participation of the private tourism sector.

The Minister further called for stronger partnerships with central ministries, state governments, research institutions, academia, startups and industry to accelerate the adoption of space-based applications across sectors.

He said the Northeast has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing regions under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and expressed confidence that NESAC will continue to play a pivotal role in strengthening governance, disaster resilience, sustainable resource management and technology-driven development across the region.