Maharashtra to come up with space policy within three months: Fadnavis

Thane: In a significant development, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday announced that the Maharashtra government would release a space policy within three months.

“In the last few years, the use of space technology has increased significantly among the people. As a result, space technology is going to become an integral part of the lives of common people. Space technology also plays a key role in governance,” the Chief Minister said.

Fadnavis’ announcement came at the ‘Space Tech for Good Governance’ conclave at the Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (RMP) in Uttan, Bhayander, in Thane district, adjacent to Mumbai.

Fadnavis also lauded the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in formulating a space policy. “Understanding the importance of space technology, the Prime Minister has created an excellent space policy. The Prime Minister envisions that in the coming times, India's share in the world in terms of space technology should be 8 to 10%. Through space technology, India can create the capacity to generate business worth 44 billion dollars,” said Fadnavis.

“Until 2014, there was only one start-up in the field of space technology in the country. Today, 189 start-ups are excelling in this field, attracting investments worth 124 million dollars,” he pointed out.

"Technologies like remote sensing, drones, and GPS in governance bring transparency, efficiency, and accountability. Due to the use of space technology, work that would have taken years is now being completed in days. With proper planning, large-scale savings are being made. Space technology is being used in the fields of agriculture, weather forecasting, water conservation, health, education, and defense,” he said.

In a recorded message, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences and Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, said, “Space technology has entered every Indian household. With support from the Prime Minister, space reforms are underway, leading to private sector collaboration and research. Space tech is being used in governance, agriculture, disaster management, urban planning, and revenue management, and we are set to play a major role in global space policy.”

“India has been known as a knowledge society. In line with that, the work of RMP in capacity building and research has been significant. This conclave brings together technology and social science. Now, we can say that the sky is not the limit, and there’s space beyond! This emerging sector will usher in good governance with ‘somebody’ up there watching,” said RMP Chairman and former Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe.

Lt Gen Vinod G. Khandare (Retd), Principal Advisor, Ministry of Defence, said, “Comprehensive national security includes not just the military and police, but the appropriate use of resources. The nation and states should complement and strengthen each other. Infiltration and sabotage can be detected by combining space tech, AI, and citizen awareness.”

With 125 participants from six states, the techno-economic sector was represented by Dr. Prakash Chauhan, Director of the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC); Dr. Vinod Kumar, Director of IN-SPACe; Dr. Shirish Ravan, Founder of EarthSight Foundation; Dr. SP Aggrawal, Director of NESAC; Rajeev Gambhir, Deputy Director General of SIA-India; and Piyush Gupta, Specialist at the World Economic Forum. The governance sector was represented by Dr. Eknath Dawale, Principal Secretary of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Government of Maharashtra; and Popatrao Pawar, Sarpanch of Hiware Bazar.