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NavIC Powers Real-Time Tracking for 10,400 Trains & 40,000 Fishing Boats

India's indigenous NavIC satellite navigation system is being used for real-time tracking of over 10,400 locomotives and more than 40,000 fishing vessels. The system provides critical emergency alerts for disasters like cyclones and tsunamis directly to boats. It also broadcasts potential fishing zone advisories to help fishermen save fuel and time while preventing accidental entry into foreign waters. The government reported significant growth in NavIC's commercial use, with over 60 mobile handset models now supporting the system.

Key Points: NavIC Tracks 10,400 Trains & 40,000 Fishing Vessels in Real-Time

  • Real-time train tracking on 10,400+ locomotives
  • 40,000+ fishing vessels equipped with NavIC receivers
  • Over 60 mobile handset models support NavIC
  • System provides disaster alerts and PFZ advisories
  • ISRO launching second-gen NVS satellites
2 min read

Homegrown NavIC helping in real-time tracking of 10,400 trains, 40,000 fishing vessels: Minister

India's NavIC system enables real-time tracking for thousands of trains and fishing vessels, providing emergency alerts and boosting safety.

"More than 60 mobile handset models from major global manufacturers support positioning with NavIC. - Dr Jitendra Singh"

New Delhi, Feb 12

Real-time train tracking is operational on over 10,400 locomotives and over 40,000 fishing vessels have been equipped with NavIC receivers for tracking and emergency alerts, the Parliament was informed on Thursday.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha that the commercial and public utilisation of NavIC has seen significant growth over the past years.

"More than 60 mobile handset models from major global manufacturers support positioning with NavIC. To strengthen the constellation, ISRO is in the process of launching the NVS series (NVS-03, NVS-04, and NVS-05) of second-generation satellites," the minister informed.

He further stated that disaster alerts and personal distress connectivity is provided through GSAT and NavIC/GAGAN systems under Vessel Communication and Support Systems (VCSS) of Department of Fisheries.

In addition, search-and-rescue using three satellites under COSPAS-SARSAT programme have been used to save lives during many distress incidents in the Indian service area.

Moreover, NavIC one way messaging service broadcasts emergency warnings for cyclones, tsunamis, and high wave alerts directly to NavIC-enabled receivers on boats -- in coordination with the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).

Singh said that the system provides potential fishing zone (PFZ) advisories to help fishermen locate fish aggregations, saving fuel and time, while simultaneously providing International Maritime Boundary alerts to prevent accidental straying into foreign waters.

According to an official statement, satellite internet services are emerging as critical solution to bridge India's digital divide. Programmes like BharatNet and Digital India already leverages use of satellite connectivity in broadband area to expand the reach.

The benefit of communication satellites are translated in terms of applications like television broadcasting, DTH television, telecommunication, Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) services, Radio networking, Headend In The Sky (HITS), Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG), In-Flight and Maritime Connectivity (IFMC), and societal applications.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As someone whose family is in the fishing business, this is a huge relief. The boundary alerts to prevent straying and the emergency warnings for cyclones can save so many lives. Jai Hind!
M
Michael C
Impressive technological achievement. Reducing dependency on foreign GPS systems is a major strategic move. The integration with disaster management is particularly smart.
S
Siddharth J
Great progress, but I hope the focus remains on making the technology affordable and accessible for all. The digital divide is real, especially in rural areas. The potential fishing zone advisories sound very useful though.
R
Rohit P
Finally! I can check if my train is actually on time now. 😄 On a serious note, this is a massive infrastructure upgrade. Proud of ISRO and our scientists.
N
Nisha Z
A respectful suggestion: while the deployment numbers sound good, transparency on the actual operational effectiveness and coverage would build more public trust. How many distress alerts have been successfully acted upon?
K
Karthik V
The fact that over 60 phone models support it is key for mass adoption. Next step should be mandatory integration in all devices sold in India. Strategic autonomy in navigation is crucial.

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