Geographical area of India increasing as per SoI
27 Mar, 2012As per information obtained from the Survey of India (SoI), it has been found that 1, India's total area changed from 32,87,263 square kilometres in 1991 to 32,87,252 sq km. in 2001 and to 32,87,261.713 sq km. in 2011. In all, 13 states and Union territories of India have recorded a change in area which has been attributed to several factors. Surveyor-General of India Swarna Subba Rao has attributed the change in size to coastal erosion and reclamation in the areas of coastal states.
In the landlocked state like Delhi, the change has been attributed to an incorrect calculation as neither erosion nor reclamation can be a possible cause. The earlier methods used to calculate areas on a map were based on the graph method by employing a planimeter, a mechanical device that had some inherent limitations. Now, the maps have been digitized using sophisticated and accurate software. Hence, the area calculated by using different state governments and agencies may differ depending on the method used by them.