India’s ambitious Gati Shakti National Master Plan is poised for a significant upgrade. The civil aviation ministry is actively developing a new tool designed to seamlessly integrate airspace and meteorological data into the Gati Shakti portal. This initiative promises to revolutionize infrastructure planning, particularly for aviation-related projects, by providing a more comprehensive and accurate picture of potential challenges and opportunities.
This groundbreaking integration is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Gandhinagar-based Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N), an institution renowned for its expertise in satellite communication, geo-informatics, and geospatial technology. A senior government official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, emphasized the critical importance of this addition. “This integration will significantly enhance infrastructure planning,” the official stated, “as airspace management and meteorological data are becoming increasingly crucial, especially for aviation projects.” The improved data will aid in better planning and construction around airports, minimizing the risk of interference and enhancing overall safety.
The urgent need for this integration was highlighted by a near-miss incident at Delhi’s IGI airport in December 2023. A heavy-duty crane, part of an expressway construction project undertaken by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), interfered with the Instrument Landing System (ILS) signals. This resulted in an incoming aircraft making a deviated landing, landing 10-20 feet off the runway centerline. The incident underscored the serious collision risks posed by tall structures near airport approaches and the critical role of accurate airspace data in preventing such occurrences. The crane’s height—reaching up to 265 feet (80 meters)—and its proximity to the aircraft’s landing path directly contributed to the interference. While this was an isolated incident, it serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers involved.
The Instrument Landing System (ILS) is a crucial navigation tool that enables pilots to land safely even in conditions of poor visibility or extreme weather, where visibility can drop to zero. The new tool being developed will incorporate real-time weather data to aid in the planning process and mitigate similar risks in the future. A second official, also speaking anonymously, confirmed that the new tool is specifically designed to address challenges such as the one experienced last year.
Mark Martin, founder and CEO of Martin Consulting, believes this integration is a move in the right direction. He advocates for a more holistic approach, modeled after successful systems such as the Weather Channel or the British Met Office, where weather data is commercially available as a service (WaaS). “This WaaS model could be incredibly valuable for Indian airlines and aircraft owners, considering the country’s fleet size of around 2,000 aircraft. India has possessed cutting-edge real-time satellite weather-gathering capabilities since the 1980s, and utilizing this data for infrastructure planning is a truly commendable step.” He added that the initiative leverages the nation’s existing advanced capabilities to further enhance infrastructure development.
The Gati Shakti platform, a digital initiative bringing together 16 ministries, is streamlining infrastructure project planning and implementation. Its integrated approach ensures efficient coordination and minimal approvals. The government’s vision extends beyond domestic application, with plans to expand the platform’s reach to the private sector and neighboring friendly countries, fostering greater collaboration and promoting the platform’s global adoption. This ambitious integration of airspace and meteorological data represents a substantial leap forward in India’s infrastructure development strategy, enhancing safety, efficiency, and overall planning efficacy.
