PUNE: GIS maps for properties will soon be essential for the registration process throughout India. Senior officials from the central land records department informed TOI that these maps will replace the long-standing method of defining plot boundaries using cardinal directions and nearby landmarks.
The Centre is currently collaborating with all state governments, including Maharashtra, to implement the Geographic Information System (GIS)-based property registration in the near future.
The primary aim of this new system is to ensure that every property transaction is digitally linked to a specifically mapped land parcel. Currently, title deeds generally describe boundaries using directions like east or west and references to neighboring survey numbers, roads, or buildings, without being tied to any spatial database.
“Ultimately, every transaction must be visible on the GIS. We’ve initiated discussions with states, including Maharashtra, on how to operationalize this,” stated Manoj Joshi, Secretary of the Department of Land Records, while predicting that the nationwide rollout should take about two years.
Legal provisions will need to be established to make the proposed system functional. Additionally, a comprehensive GIS-enabled registration software platform must be created, allowing states to develop a modern platform that integrates land ownership details, building footprints, and data from various agencies.
Initially, these systems will rely on high-resolution satellite imagery with a minimum accuracy of 30cm until new ground-level resurvey maps are generated. “The Centre has requested input from the GIS industry to assist governments during this transition,” explained Joshi.
He acknowledged that no state is fully proficient with the technology yet, emphasizing the need for all states to enhance their capabilities. Accurate mapping is crucial as land and property transactions form a significant portion of India’s economic activity, necessitating reliable documentation. State revenue departments have been urged to prioritize systems that facilitate secure and efficient transactions for citizens.
Officials in Maharashtra noted that the Centre’s directives would modernize the existing descriptive registration system by ensuring that every transaction is linked to a mapped parcel. “Linking sale deeds to GIS maps will considerably reduce ambiguities regarding boundaries, providing greater certainty in property transactions,” remarked a senior revenue official.
Maharashtra previously advocated for similar reforms, proposing in 2023 to attach maps rather than cardinal directions in title deeds and forming a committee to submit recommendations. However, with 2024 being an election year, progress on implementation has been minimal.
The Centre has also highlighted ongoing challenges faced by states, particularly delays in acquiring modern survey equipment like rovers. Joshi emphasized that investing in such equipment is more cost-effective than maintaining large survey teams, encouraging states to adopt quicker and more efficient procurement practices.
