AGARTALA, Dec 9: The eight northeastern states of India will continue to leverage the services of the North Eastern Space Application Centre (NESAC) to monitor and enhance various developmental initiatives, including flood control, irrigation, tourism, afforestation, and agricultural work across the region. NESAC, located in Umiam, Meghalaya, has been instrumental in supporting these states through advanced satellite and technological solutions.

An official from NESAC revealed that the center’s technologies have been in use by the northeastern states for several years, enabling better planning and monitoring of developmental works. A crucial meeting is set to be held in Agartala on December 22, where key figures such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Dr. S. Somanath will review the outcomes of these initiatives. The meeting will be part of the 72nd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC), scheduled for December 20-21, with prominent attendees including Governors, Chief Ministers, and senior government officials.

The central government has focused on enhancing project implementation through the use of satellite imagery, drones, and mobile applications to monitor progress. Over 2000 locations across the eight states have been geo-tagged to ensure accurate and timely execution. In collaboration with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), NESAC has developed a mobile app to streamline project monitoring.

NESAC, which was established in 2000 as a joint venture between the Department of Space and the Shillong-based North Eastern Council (NEC), continues to play a critical role in addressing regional challenges. In previous meetings, Amit Shah encouraged the northeastern states to maximize the use of NESAC’s resources for critical sectors such as flood control, agriculture, and afforestation. He also emphasized the government’s commitment to making the region flood-free and reducing the use of single-use plastics for environmental protection.

The December 22 meeting will follow a review of ongoing projects and will highlight the importance of further cooperation to ensure the development and security of the region.