Chandigarh has made major progress in creating a modern digital land record system under the NAKSHA (National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations) project. More than 13,000 properties across the city’s urban sectors and selected villages have now been mapped and verified.
The project is being implemented by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) under the Government of India. Its main aim is to modernise land administration by connecting ownership records with advanced geographic information technology.
By using digital mapping tools, authorities hope to make property records more accurate, transparent and easier to access. The project is expected to benefit both residents and government agencies by reducing disputes and improving urban planning.
The NAKSHA project has achieved significant success in Chandigarh’s urban sectors. Under the Map-2 phase of the programme, officials identified 6,647 properties for mapping and verification.
Out of these, 6,642 properties have already been surveyed and verified. This means that more than 99.9 percent of the targeted properties have been covered. During the process, officials linked the properties with their existing Record of Rights (RoR), which contains information about ownership and land details.
The work in urban sectors mainly focused on updating old records and matching them with accurate digital maps. This helps ensure that ownership information and property boundaries are correctly recorded.
The project has also made strong progress in rural areas. Five villages were selected for the pilot programme: Attawa, Sarangpur, Burail, Palsora and Kajheri.
In these villages, authorities identified a total of 6,369 properties. Officials have completed ground verification for all of them, achieving 100 percent coverage at this stage.
Ground verification involved visiting each property physically. Survey teams checked property boundaries, verified land use and collected important details about the structures. This process helps ensure that the information entered into the system is accurate.
However, unlike urban sectors, the village properties still need to be linked formally with ownership records. This is an important step because it will establish legal ownership and may reveal disputes or claims that need to be resolved before records can be finalised.
Officials say that linking properties with ownership records will be one of the most important tasks in the next stage of the project.
The current mapping exercise builds upon earlier work completed during the Map-1 phase. During that stage, authorities used aerial surveys and drone technology to capture detailed images of Chandigarh’s sectors and selected village areas.
Those surveys created the digital foundation needed for property mapping. The information collected from drones helped create accurate maps that could later be verified on the ground.
To manage the project efficiently, Chandigarh has established a dedicated State Project Management Unit (SPMU). This team monitors implementation and ensures that all activities are completed according to schedule.
Additionally, 20 field survey teams equipped with advanced rover-based instruments have been deployed to conduct property verification and mapping work.
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One of the most important features of the NAKSHA project is the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.
GIS mapping allows each property to be assigned a precise geographic location. The system can then combine this location with other important information such as ownership details, land use patterns and structural information.
Unlike traditional paper-based records, GIS systems allow officials to view property information on digital maps. This makes it much easier to understand how land is being used and identify areas that may require attention.
For residents, the benefits could be significant.
Digitised and verified land records can help reduce property disputes by creating a clear and reliable record of ownership. When ownership information is easily available and accurately recorded, disagreements over boundaries and land rights can often be resolved more quickly.
Property transactions may also become easier. Buyers and sellers can access accurate information about land ownership, reducing uncertainty and paperwork.
Financial institutions may also benefit from improved records. Clear documentation can make it easier for property owners to obtain loans because banks can verify ownership details more efficiently.
Legal processes involving land and property may become simpler as well. Digital records provide a traceable history that can support court proceedings and other legal matters.
For government authorities, GIS-based records offer valuable planning tools.
Officials can use the data to improve urban development, zoning decisions and infrastructure projects. By understanding how land is being used, planners can identify areas that need roads, drainage systems, schools or other public facilities.
The system can also support disaster management efforts. Accurate maps allow authorities to identify vulnerable locations and prepare emergency response plans more effectively.
Environmental planning may also improve because officials can monitor land-use changes and identify areas facing environmental risks.
The final stage of the project, known as Map-3, will focus on connecting verified properties with ownership records, resolving disputes and correcting any discrepancies found during the survey process.
Once this work is completed, the data will be digitally authenticated and integrated into a unified GIS-based land record system.
Officials believe the completed system will make land administration faster, more transparent and more efficient. It will also support Chandigarh’s broader goal of becoming a smart and digitally connected city.
The successful mapping of more than 13,000 properties marks an important milestone in this effort. As the remaining phases are completed, residents can expect easier access to property information, improved services and a more reliable land record system for the future.
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