DIGITAL PHOTOGRAMMETRY IN INDIA - A NEW WAVE 
K. Sathesh Kumar, Editorial Associate, GIS India, GS Kumar, Managing Editor, GIS India 
KEY WORDS: Digital Photogrammetry; Private Sector; National Remote Sensing Agency: Training, 
Operationalisation. 
ABSTRACT 
India is a typical example amongst developing countries struggling to catch up with efficient systems of management related to planning 
and development. Amongst various factors which influence this effort are 200 years of British rule in India (till 1947), high illiteracy. 
religious and traditional diversities, political happenings and lastly global commercial pressures. 
It was in the mid 1960's that Analogue Photogrammetric instruments were introduced mainly in Survey of India, the national Surveying 
& Mapping Organisation of India established by the British more than 235 years back. As per the policy coming down from British 
times, Aerial photographs of all scales even now are classified Secret/Restricted in India. However, Survey of India could effectively 
use Photogrammetry for mapping on 1:50,000 scale and on 1;25,000 scale. In some projects large scale mapping was also done. 
Department of Space and a very few other Government organizations made attempts to develop Photogrammetry. Some academic 
institutions also introduced Photogrammetry in some courses. 
Some limited attempts were made by Government organisations to adopt Analytical Photogrammetry without much success mainly due 
to heavy capital costs, maintenance costs and high skills. In late 1990's, digital Photogrammetry drew attention of several organizations, 
as the technology became desktop, cost affordable and learning easy. Government organizations found ways to deal with restrictions 
and embarked upon use of digital Photogrammetry. 
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAMMETRY IN INDIA PROJECT NO I: 
For the first time in India, a Hyderabad based private Company CITY BASE MAP of one of the Indian Cities. 
got a project from Oman in Photogrammetry in the early 1990's. 
The client arranged for the Analytical instruments and the project Scale of Aerial Photography: 1: 10000 (B/W). 
was implemented. As Soft copy Photogrammetry became 
operational, more private companies entered the field but most of No. of models: 55 models covering an area of 8000 hectares. 
the jobs were out-sourced from other countries. This has led to 
growing market for the Photogrammetry SW and building skilled Scale of final output was 1: 2500. 
manpower. 
The accuracy achieved for Aerial Triangulation and block 
A parallel development took place in the government sector. adjustment was + 20 cm for plane height 
Government organizations could carry out Photogrammetric 
processing for government projects after obtaining necessary 
clearances. Private companies could set up Photogrammetric SW/ PROJECT NO.2 & 3: 
HW and carry out work with their work force within the 
government organizations. This created new opportunities in the These two projects are of other Indian cities with identical 
private sector as well as employment opportunities. Training specification of Project No.l except a change in Area and the total 
organisations came up both in the private and government sectors no. of models. This consists of an area of 10,000 hectares and 70 
to meet the training needs. models. 
The accuracy achieved for Aerial Triangulation and block 
OPERATIONALISATION OF PHOTOGRAMMETRY adjustment was + 20 em for plane height 
The authors of this paper were instrumental in organizing training 
programmes and promoting digital Photogrammetry in different PROJECT NO.4 
organisations. Professional Bodies included Photogrammetry in 
their conferences and workshops many promotional programmes This project was also of one of the Indian cities with identical 
were undertaken by government, private and academic specifications of project No. 1,2 & 3 except that this includes 
organizations. At many centers in India, digital Photogrammetry creation of Contours of 1-meter intervals using DTM module of 
is operational with good resources in terms of skilled manpower PHOTOMOD Software. 
and SW/HW. 
of 
The authors of this paper have been associated with several PROJECT NO.5 
Photogrammetric projects using PHOTOMOD digital 
Photogrammetry Software developed by RACURS Russia. A brief This project was also of one of the Indian cities with identical 
list of some projects is given here to give an idea of the trend in specifications of project No. 4. This consists of an area of 6,000 
the country in private sector. hectares covering in 45 models. 
174