TechRaga

India’s own Google Earth like project – Bhuvan is now causing some worries to security experts. The security agencies have mentioned the usage of Google Earth by the terrorists of 26/11 Mumbai attack.

The Bhuvan is an ambitious satellite mapping project of Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO. It is planned to be focused on Indian sub-continent.

Bhuvan will have  some advanced features over Google Earth, like :

• Google Earth’s Zoom levels up to 200 mt – ISRO’s Bhuvan      Zoom levels up to 10 mt (projected 2.5mt)
• Google Earth: Single layer information   –   ISRO’s Bhuvan:          Multi-layer information.
• Google Earth: Images upgraded every 4 years -  ISRO’s Bhuvan:  Images upgraded every year.
• Google Earth: No alternate viewing options – ISRO’s Bhuvan:     Options of viewing on different dates  [Source : Pluggd.In]
• Google Earth: Uses international satellites – ISRO’s Bhuvan:   Uses Indian satellites

With these high resolutions, the government and other security agencies are worrying about the misuse of these data. The ISRO Bhuvan is to be launched in this month; i.e.; March 2009.

According to a report published in a national newspaper, Government is planning to not launch Bhuvan for public.

Well, this move seems to be a positive step, as blurring only important buildings is not a solution and terrorists can use these information!!

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