Built-in spatial data points helped ensure that Rapid Response Teams and other services were actually reaching each doorstep
In a first for the country, the state of Punjab has reportedly implemented a multi-departmental geospatial solution that seamlessly incorporates emerging technology like drones and Artificial Intelligence for analysis.
As per a release, Department of Governance Reforms and Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company powered by DronaMaps has implemented a unique approach to unified geospatial databases that provide a holistic overview of different administrative facets to enable data-backed decision-making.
“Within a span of one year, with DronaMaps we have worked across departments to create over a hundred web applications spanning multiple functionalities like Mandis, Road Management, Property Taxes for Urban Local bodies, COVID-19 etc.”, said Parminder Pal Singh Sandhu, Director, Department of Governance Reforms and Public Grievances.
The creator of COVA Punjab, Punjab’s COVID-19 Data Management Platform and citizen app Jasminder Pal Singh, Senior Consultant, SeMT (MeitY) highlights the impact of this Command and Control Center saying, “It enabled us to create a highly sophisticated spatial understanding of the cases, the testing facilities, and healthcare infrastructure available down to each urban locality and village. We built-in spatial data points to ensure that Rapid Response Teams and other services were actually reaching each doorstep. It improved COVID-19 healthcare delivery. Rapid response teams visited 83586 with 50 per cent in rural areas and 58835 calls were received on the helpline with over 76.64 per cent enquiries about vaccination. Bed management is done based on real-time updates from hospitals which are geotagged and information available on dashboards with heat maps.”
Utkarsh Singh, CEO, DronaMaps, said, “The multilayered approach leverages traditional geospatial techniques, integrating them with data coming from management information systems, drone maps, mobile applications, WhatsApp chatbots and more. In the end, a layer of intelligent AI/ML analytics is built to enable the usage of select data points for effective decision-making. The integration of management information systems brought the geospatial data alive and enabled the creation of groundbreaking eGovernance interventions. This deployment has given us an opportunity to use cutting edge emerging technology in governance across an entire state with real-world impact. The digital revolution created the data, our job is to create interoperability and cut through the noise.”
Co-founded by Ayushi Mishra and Singh, DronaMaps operates an AI-powered platform that creates and analyses 3D maps to develop cities, villages and neighbourhoods with pipeline planning, precision agriculture and flood mitigation, among others. Since its launch in 2016, it has reportedly mapped 600 square kilometers across six states in India. DronaMaps has worked with governments, universities and companies, including Reliance Industries, SAP and Johns Hopkins University.