National Data Registry (NDR) for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI)

Abstract

Over the past years, efforts have been made by the NSDI to re-engineer the geospatial feature data sets and compile and serve their metadata as per ISO/OGC specifications. These are required for provision of interoperable geospatial data services in a service-oriented architecture and automated development of GIS applications. Identification, registration and maintenance of metadata of the feature data sets and related services from the national- and state-level partnering agencies in a central metadata registry, called the National Data Registry (NDR), are essential for improving data utilization. Registering spatial data sets and services may typically involve capturing their semantics (definition), making each data item persistently and uniquely identifiable by assigning unique identifiers and organizing/maintaining their schema and associated classification systems (code lists) in a set of standard registers. In line with these requirements, a proof-of-concept (PoC) of a National Data Registry (NDR) for the Indian NSDI has been implemented and demonstrated using data services from Survey of India, National Remote Sensing Centre and the Ministry of Railways’ train running information. The PoC successfully demonstrated the utility of a sample registry and technical architecture and led to the development of a strategy for selection of a suitable system integrator for a real-life NDR development for the NSDI.