MoSPI Signs MoU with ISRO on Urban Frame Survey using Bhuvan

In a significant move toward modernization, the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has partnered with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) under the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to digitize the Urban Frame Survey (UFS) using advanced Geo ICT tools and techniques through the Bhuvan Platform.

Key Points of the MoU:

1. Objective: Facilitating the Urban Frame Survey (UFS) in a digital mode to enhance efficiency and accuracy in data collection and maintenance.
2. Participants: Signed by Shri Subash Chandra Malik, Additional Director General, NSSO, MoSPI, and Dr. Srinivasa Rao S, Deputy Director, BGWSA, NRSC, in the presence of key officials.
3. Scope:
   • Development/improvement of mobile application for Geo-tagging of NSSO Urban Frame Survey data.
   • Creation of a web portal for visualization, data scrutiny, editing, etc., of data submitted through the mobile application.
   • QGIS plug-in development for accessing captured polygons.
   • Fine-tuning of Block, IV-unit, Ward, and Town boundaries of UFS using High-Resolution Satellite Imagery.
   • Capacity building of NSSO officials by NRSC.
4. Progress:
   • Digital UFS conducted for the first time during Phase 2017-22, covering more than 5300 towns.
   • In the current phase (2022 – 2027), survey works of around 8134 towns are planned with improved digital solutions.
5. Benefits:
   • Transformation of UFS from analogue to digital mode.
   • Timely updating of Urban Frame to meet MoSPI’s targets.