Lok Sabha Question No. 5198 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Fund Allocated for INSAT-3DS
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Shri Alok Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5198

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 2 ND  APRIL, 2025

## FUND ALLOCATED FOR INSAT-3DS

## †5198. SHRI ALOK SHARMA:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the fund allocated for the Indian National Satellite (INSAT-3DS);
- (b) the manner in which the said satellite is likely to strengthen the meteorological services of the country; and
- (c) the current status of the operation of the INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has allocated Rs. 480/- crore and billed for the launch of the Indian National Satellite (INSAT-3DS).
- (b) Currently, INSTAT-3DS,along with INSAT-3DR, are in use for the operational weather services, and some of the important applications of satellite products are:
-  Round-the-clock monitoring of severe weather conditions with rapid scan capability.  Satellite  images  are  generated  every  5  minutes  for  the  area  of  interest (where the severe weather is prevailing).
-  A  satellite visualization  tool  known  as  Real-time  Analysis  of  Products  and Information Dissemination (RAPID) to  visualize and analyze satellite images and derived products as per the user's choice (https://rapid.imd.gov.in/r2v/).
-  Numerous satellite-derived products and imageries are generated at each 30-minute gap, which  is very useful in real-time monitoring  the  cyclone  activity  and determination of cyclone track and intensity.
-  During pre-monsoon season thunderstorms and lightning season of March to May, various  products  like  Outgoing  Longwave  Radiation,  Quantitative  Precipitation Estimate, Sea Surface Temperature, Insolation, winds, winds derived products, etc. and  Temperature,  Humidity  profiles/Thermodynamic  indices  etc.  are  used  for monitoring the movement of convective weather systems.
-  Satellite-derived  products  are  also  helpful  in  monitoring  the  onset,  active,  and withdrawal phases of southwest and northeast monsoons. It is also used to monitor and  analyse  the  origin,  movement,  and  possible  impact  of  Western  disturbance moving across North India.
-  Data Collection and Dissemination: The satellite's data relay transponder facilitates efficient collection and distribution of meteorological, hydrological, and oceanographic data from various ground stations, supporting The India Meteorological Department (IMD).
-  Search  and  Rescue  Operations:  The  satellite  has  a  dedicated  search  and  rescue payload  that  assists  in  locating  and  saving  lives  during  maritime  and  aviation emergencies. These advancements in INSAT-3DS  have  strengthened India's capacity to monitor and predict weather patterns, enabling better preparedness for extreme  weather  events  and  contributing  to  improving  agricultural  and  water management decisions.
-  Meteorological data and products from both the INSATs are also useful in various sectors in real-time:
-  Aviation Meteorological services (root forecast, convection cloud development, movement, etc.)
-  Marine  weather  forecast  (convection  movements,  high  /low-pressure  zones, winds convergence, divergence, etc.)
-  Power Sector ( clouds, convection, etc.)
-  Tourism sector (root, temperature, clouds, dry or moist areas, winds, circulation, etc.)
-  Monitoring severe weather phenomena like intense rainfall episodes, heatwave conditions,  cold  wave  day  and  night  fog,  etc.  are  easily  monitored  over  the Indian  region/neighbouring  countries  by  day  and  night  (24-hour)  coverage  of satellite data.
-  Special  sector  images  are  generated  for  pilgrimage  (Like  Amarnathji  yatra, Kumbh Mela, Kedarnath Jee yatra, etc.)
-  The accumulated snow-bound area images during winter time are generated for specially monitoring the fresh and old snow and its coverage.
-  Agriculture sector services. Satellite provides better guidance for agro meteorology  with  the  help  of  many  satellite-derived  products  (like  Insolation, Land Surface Temperature, Evapotranspiration, etc.).
-  Renewable  energy  sector:  Satellite-based  Winds,  clouds,  Outgoing  longwave radiation,  etc.,  provide  an  important  input  to  this  sector  for  managing  the resources efficiently.
-  Research  and  development  activities.  New  algorithms  and  approaches  (like AI/ML, deep learning, etc.) are also under development to further streamline the process.
-  Therefore, with the support of INSAT-3DS (which provides advanced imaging and sounding capabilities), weather monitoring service capabilities are enhanced. It offered detailed observations of land and ocean surfaces, real-time data on cloud cover, moisture content, temperature profiles, and other atmospheric parameter which are crucial for weather monitoring.
- (c) The INSAT-3D has reached its end of life and has been replaced by the INSAT-3DS, whereas INSAT-3DR is operational in sensing and transmitting meteorological data.