PRAYAGRAJ: The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation is launching a block-level mapping and numbering system to enhance property identification and streamline property tax collection. This initiative aims to simplify the process of locating individual houses and improve municipal services such as tax collection and property surveys.
Under this plan, localities will be subdivided into smaller blocks, each containing around 100 houses. Depending on the size and population of each area, wards will likely consist of five to seven blocks. With 100 wards in the city, there could be a total of 3,000 to 4,000 blocks across Prayagraj.
PK Mishra, the chief tax assessment officer of the Municipal Corporation, mentioned that a GIS (Geographic Information System) survey firm has been informed about the new survey requirements. The block-by-block survey is anticipated to start within the next 20 to 25 days.
Each home within these blocks will be assigned a unique identification number, integrating the initial letter or syllable of the locality’s name for easier tracking. For example, in the Teliyarganj area, houses will be labeled as ‘T-Block A.’ This approach ensures straightforward identification even if ward boundaries shift during municipal elections, as locality boundaries typically remain unchanged.
A similar initiative was attempted a few years ago but was eventually halted. Nevertheless, progress was made, with unique numbers assigned to over 12,000 properties in areas like Mumfordganj.
Additionally, property records (or khasra) for newly extended municipal areas will be organized over the next six months and will be uploaded online by 2026. The latest GIS survey identified approximately 1.78 lakh building properties in Prayagraj, yet property tax is currently being collected from only about 50,000 of these properties.
To further enhance civic infrastructure, the PMC is also focusing on smart city upgrades. Additional Municipal Commissioner Deependra Yadav noted that advanced technologies will be implemented for traffic management, water supply, sewer systems, and energy monitoring. The Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) is also undergoing enhancements for improved citywide coordination and service delivery.
