(a) whether the Indian Space Research Organisation has entered into an agreement with some industries to set up automatic weather stations;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the usage of these stations in remote areas; and
(d) the efficacy of these stations in times of national calamities?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER`S OFFICE (SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN):
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) Antrix Corporation of Department of Space has entered into an agreement with M/s. Astra Microwave Products Limited, Hyderabad for production and installation of Automatic Weather Stations.
(c) & (d) The Automatic Weather Station has capability to operate in remote areas and provide meteorological data from data sparse regions. The weather data such as temperature, pressure, humidity, winds, rainfall, etc. from these locations could be utilized in the forecasting and monitoring of natural calamities.