The GPS aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) project would place India in a select group of nations, like the US, Europe and Japan, to possess such a system that would not only guide aircraft over its airspace, but also provide them straight-line fuel-efficient routes and precision approach landings.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the implementation of this project which is being developed jointly by the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Airports Authority of India, an official spokesperson said.

Commenting on the development, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said the GAGAN system would be "certainly in place by 2011" and would make "flying much safer than at present".

He said of the Rs 774 crore estimated expenditure, the AAI would spend Rs 580 crore on the prestigious project.

The GAGAN system would provide coverage of oceanic areas, which is not possible by the terrestrial systems that are in place now.

It would also improve airport and airspace access in all-weather conditions and provide precision-landing approaches to aircraft even at airports, where Instrument Landing Systems do not exist.

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