Neeraj Chauhan, TNN | Sep 19, 2014, 01.28AM IST

SAN DIEGO: Esri, a market leader in geographic information system (GIS) mapping technology, sees a big opportunity in India as Narendra Modi-led government embarks on its plan to develop 100 smart cities on the lines of developed countries.

While the US giant hopes to expand its operations in both public and private sectors, it believes that GIS technology and applications can help at every stage of development — planning, designing, decision making, network analysis and monitoring to create better infrastructure, modern residential colonies, 24*7 power and water distribution, organised law enforcement, eco-friendly industrial development, intelligent traffic management, effective water conservation and disaster management and quality health facilities.

Esri global president Jack Dangermond said, "In India, many customers are building their geographic knowledge base. There is a larger realization with the people talking about GIS as a platform across government agencies. Our job is to support these agencies and government by providing them best technology and help them in their vision of building a better India".

GIS contains a spatial database, representing aspects of cultural and physical environment of a particular geographic region together with procedures for analyzing combinations of attributes and generating graphical products.

Esri India already works with government, private companies and educational institutions, covering various areas including telecommunications, disaster management, transportation, municipal management, natural resources and building/designing.

Esri India president Agendra Kumar said that they already control 70% market share in the country and use of GIS is rising radically.

While it boasts of several apps that are being used by global as well as Indian companies, its ArcGIS platform is being used for all the aspects of developing a smart city — planning, design and management.