Saralnama
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced that the government is considering launching a dedicated satellite or acquiring a specialised transponder to strengthen India’s maritime governance and port management systems. The proposed space-based infrastructure aims to provide exclusive coverage of Indian coastal waters, inland waterways, and port regions, integrating with national maritime databases for real-time vessel traffic monitoring, improved navigational safety, early congestion detection, and enhanced preparedness for search and rescue, pollution control, and disaster management. Sonowal emphasized that this initiative would reduce dependence on foreign navigation systems and support the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. He cited recent Indian space milestones, including the 2023 launch of the Aditya-L1 solar observatory, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission to the International Space Station, and upcoming projects like the Gaganyaan mission and plans for an Indian space station, reflecting the country’s growing ambitions in space exploration. (Updated 25 Aug 2025, 12:40 IST; source: link)