Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, has launched Sagar Sampark, an indigenous Differential Global Navigation Satellite System (DGNSS), with the goal of promoting digitalization in the maritime industry. This innovative system acts as a terrestrial-based enhancement to the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), rectifying errors and inaccuracies to significantly improve the precision of positioning data.
The primary objective of Sagar Sampark is to enhance ship safety by providing accurate positioning information, thereby reducing the risk of collisions, groundings, and accidents in ports and harbors. By leveraging multiple satellite constellations, including the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), mariners can navigate with greater accuracy, improving positioning precision within 5 meters.
Sagar Sampark, India’s indigenous DGNSS, effectively mitigates atmospheric interferences, satellite clock drift, and other factors that affect GPS positioning. Through the utilization of advanced technology receivers and regularly updated software, the system achieves error correction accuracy of less than 5 meters for a distance of 100 Nautical Miles (NM) from the Indian coastlines. This significant improvement from the previous accuracy range of 5 to 10 meters ensures precise and reliable positioning information for mariners.
The deployment of Sagar Sampark at six strategic locations aims to support the Director General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) in providing radio aids for maritime navigation to ships. By enabling smooth and effective transportation of vessels, Sagar Sampark plays a crucial role in enhancing maritime security while facilitating efficient and secure vessel movements.
Director General of Lighthouses and Lightships, Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways: Shri N. Muruganandam