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Empowering Rural Development with GIS under PM Gati Shakti

India’s approach to rural development is undergoing a profound transformation, powered by data-driven planning and technological innovation. A cornerstone of this shift is the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) within the framework of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. Launched in October 2021, PM Gati Shakti aims to facilitate multimodal infrastructure development by consolidating the efforts of various ministries and departments on a unified digital platform. As of 2025, the integration of GIS in this initiative has emerged as a vital component for planning, monitoring, and executing infrastructure projects in rural areas with enhanced precision and transparency.

GIS for Rural Infrastructure Planning and Service Delivery

In the rural context, GIS serves as a critical tool for designing road networks, identifying the need for public amenities, and streamlining the delivery of essential services. Under schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), GIS allows planners to analyze terrain, population distribution, and existing infrastructure to plan new roads that maximize connectivity and minimize ecological impact. The integration of GIS has improved the identification of priority areas, making infrastructure development more targeted and efficient.

Moreover, public service delivery—particularly in the domains of health, education, water supply, and sanitation—has significantly benefited from GIS-based spatial analysis. By visualizing demographic data alongside infrastructure availability, government agencies can deploy resources where they are most needed, ensuring inclusivity and reducing service delivery gaps in underserved rural areas.

Technological Enablers: Dashboards, Drones, and Geo-tagging

PM Gati Shakti leverages several advanced geospatial technologies to strengthen rural planning and implementation. Among the most prominent tools are GIS-based planning dashboards, drone surveys, and public asset geo-tagging.

• GIS-Based Planning Dashboards allow for interactive, real-time visualization of infrastructure projects across ministries and departments. These dashboards support better coordination, minimize redundancies, and ensure timely interventions. Planners and administrators at both central and state levels can access geospatial data layers to inform infrastructure design and track project progress.
• Drone Surveys, particularly under the SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) scheme, are instrumental in creating accurate digital maps of rural settlements. As of early 2025, over 3.17 lakh villages have been surveyed, and property cards have been distributed in more than 50,000 villages. This initiative not only secures property rights but also provides granular data essential for land use planning and infrastructure provisioning.
• Public Asset Geo-tagging is another critical intervention. By digitally tagging community infrastructure such as schools, anganwadis, health centers, water tanks, and roads, authorities can monitor the condition, usage, and coverage of public assets. Geo-tagging facilitates better maintenance and accountability, while also aiding in optimal budget allocation.

Geospatial Integration in Aspirational Districts Programme

The Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP), launched to uplift India’s most underdeveloped districts, has integrated GIS to enhance the precision and impact of its interventions. With geospatial tools, district administrators can analyze developmental indicators such as education levels, maternal and child health, sanitation coverage, and nutrition outcomes at micro levels.

GIS allows for mapping socio-economic data against geographic realities, helping in the formulation of location-specific development strategies. It also supports the convergence of government schemes by identifying overlapping areas and ensuring that interventions are complementary rather than duplicative. As a result, the use of GIS in ADP has enabled more nuanced, inclusive, and responsive governance.

Case Study: Jharkhand’s Panchayat-Level GIS Implementation

Jharkhand has made notable progress in leveraging GIS at the grassroots level through the Panchayat Infrastructure Mapping project, initiated under the state’s Department of Panchayati Raj. This initiative is part of a broader state-led strategy to digitize and spatially monitor development infrastructure across rural local bodies. As of 2025, all 4,345 Gram Panchayats in the state have been covered under a GIS-based asset mapping and planning system.

The system integrates detailed spatial data on roads, drinking water sources, schools, health sub-centres, and community assets. These layers are made available on the state’s GIS portal, enabling Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to access accurate data for informed planning. The initiative has been implemented in collaboration with the Jharkhand Space Applications Center (JSAC), which provides technical assistance in satellite-based mapping and data processing.

Local officials are trained in using digital tools for monitoring infrastructure status and prioritizing resource allocation. This approach has enabled gram panchayats to submit data-backed proposals under schemes like the 15th Finance Commission grants and Jal Jeevan Mission. It has also strengthened transparency, minimized duplication of infrastructure, and improved fund utilization.

Jharkhand’s model exemplifies how geospatial tools, when institutionalized with administrative support and capacity-building, can transform rural governance by empowering local bodies with actionable insights.

Addressing Implementation Challenges

While the benefits of GIS integration under PM Gati Shakti are evident, certain challenges need to be addressed to fully realize its potential:

• Data Standardization: Different government departments often use varying data formats, projection systems, and classification schemes. This lack of standardization complicates data integration and interoperability. The National Geospatial Policy 2022 and the National Geospatial Data Registry are key efforts aimed at resolving this issue by promoting uniform data standards and metadata protocols.
• Capacity Building at the Local Level: Effective use of GIS tools requires technical knowledge and analytical skills. Many panchayat officials and local planners lack access to training and capacity-building resources. Initiatives by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and state governments to train functionaries in digital tools, including GIS, must be expanded and institutionalized.
• Connectivity and Satellite Access: In remote areas, limited access to high-speed internet and updated satellite imagery can hinder real-time GIS applications.

Addressing this challenge requires investment in digital infrastructure and exploration of offline-compatible GIS solutions that can sync periodically with central databases.

Towards a Digital and Resilient Rural Future

Looking ahead, the integration of GIS with emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Digital Twin models holds great promise for rural development. These technologies can augment geospatial planning by providing predictive insights, enabling real-time monitoring, and simulating infrastructure scenarios for better decision-making.

Furthermore, the ongoing National Geospatial Mission, supported by the Government of India, seeks to build a robust geospatial ecosystem that supports planning and governance across sectors. By 2025, the mission aims to make critical datasets accessible to stakeholders, foster innovation in the geospatial sector, and promote public-private partnerships in rural planning and infrastructure development.

Conclusion

The integration of GIS under PM Gati Shakti is a transformative step towards enhancing the quality, equity, and efficiency of rural development in India. With its ability to provide real-time, location-specific data, GIS empowers planners and policymakers to make informed decisions that reflect the actual needs of rural communities.

From supporting road construction and utility planning to enabling grassroots governance and targeted service delivery, GIS has proven to be an indispensable tool in shaping India’s rural future. The experience of states like Jharkhand and the application of geospatial technologies in Aspirational Districts highlight the practical benefits and potential of this approach.

Addressing current challenges through standardized data practices, continuous capacity building, and improved connectivity will be key to scaling these benefits across the country. As India moves forward in its mission to create a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy, GIS will remain at the forefront of inclusive and sustainable rural development.

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