A Geo-Informatics Centre being set up in the city by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) is expected to become functional by year end.

"A GSI website is being created and a computerised data base is being compiled. The centre will provide all geological information, data and analysis," an official at the regional GSI office said.

Sources said that equipment for the centre has already been ordered and the centre will start functioning from the GSI's new location in Sector 33 as soon as the building already under construction is complete.

Sources said all data collected by the GSI in its 150 years of existence, as well as reports and findings, are being fed into computers and will also be accessed at its website on the Internet.

While the GSI's regional office based here would be responsible for all geological information pertaining to the states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, its five other regional offices in the country would be feeding in data related with their concerned areas of jurisdiction.

The regional office here has recently completed a series of surveys in the Himalayan belt of Himachal Pradesh and has mapped various mineral resources, rock formations and geothermal activities.

While the information available on the website, including maps and graphics, would be of a generic nature, more specific or detailed information would be available from the centre after paying a requisite fee.

The information provided by the GIC can be utilised for research projects, studying economic potential of an area and for carrying out feasibility studies before undertaking exploration or commercial mining ventures.