Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh announced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that only Indian entities would be allowed to conduct mobile mapping and street-view surveys within Indian territorial waters. He highlighted that these restrictions are outlined in the “guidelines for acquiring and producing geospatial data and geospatial data services, including maps,” issued by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) on February 15, 2021.

According to Singh, the guidelines empower Indian entities, whether government or private, to freely acquire, generate, disseminate, and update geospatial data, including maps, within the territory of India. This also extends to underwater areas within Indian territorial waters, using any geospatial technology. However, regulations on attributes listed in the negative lists must be adhered to.

Specifically, terrestrial mobile-mapping surveys, street-view surveys, and surveys in Indian territorial waters are permitted only for Indian entities, regardless of accuracy. The guidelines explicitly state that nothing within them grants an individual or entity the right to physical access to restricted establishments, installations, or premises, whether through aerial or territorial water routes.

The guidelines include a negative list of sensitive attributes that require regulation before acquisition and use, ensuring that no prohibited attributes are marked on any map. Singh emphasized that the guidelines encourage collaboration among citizens, companies, organizations, and government agencies involved in producing geospatial data, fostering a mutually beneficial approach and promoting open-linked geospatial data.