Context

Recently, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways inaugurated the indigenous Differential Global Navigation Satellite System (DGNSS) ‘SAGAR SAMPARK’.

What is Sagar Sampark?

• It is an indigenous Differential Global Navigation Satellite System (DGNSS).
• The Differential Global Navigation Satellite System is a terrestrial based enhancement system which corrects the errors and inaccuracies in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) allowing for more accurate positioning information.
• It is now able to transmit corrections of GPS and GLONASS.
• The error correction accuracy has been improved from 5 to 10 meters to less than 5 meters for 100 Nautical Miles (NM) from Indian coastlines.

Significance:

• Sagar Sampark at six locations will assist the Director General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) to provide radio aids to ships for marine navigation.
• The system will provide accurate information to the ships for safe navigation and will reduce the risk of collisions, groundings, and accidents in the port and harbour areas.
• This will lead to the safe and efficient movement of vessels.
• It will significantly improve the accuracy of GPS positioning and reduces errors caused by atmospheric inferences, satellite clock drift, and other factors.