Launch of National Urban Land Survey Project ‘Naksha’

IN NEWS: Launch of National Urban Land Survey Project ‘Naksha’

Introduction

The Government of Madhya Pradesh, led by Mohan Yadav, has launched the national-level pilot project ‘Naksha’ for conducting urban land surveys using modern technologies such as drones. The initiative aims to modernise land records, enhance transparency, and improve urban planning and governance.

ANALYSIS

Objective and Scope of ‘Naksha’ Project

The ‘Naksha’ programme represents a major step toward digitisation and scientific mapping of land records:

• Focus on urban land survey
• Use of drone technology for accurate mapping
• Creation of updated and reliable land records
• Coverage:
  • 152 urban local bodies
  • Across 26 States and 3 Union Territories

This aligns with the broader vision of Digital India and land governance reforms.

Need for Modern Land Records

The initiative addresses long-standing issues in land administration:

• Lack of accurate and updated land records
• Frequent land disputes and litigation
• Challenges in:
  • Urban planning
  • Property ownership clarity
  • Financial inclusion (loan access using land as asset)

Accurate land records are critical as land is a key economic asset ensuring security and financial stability.

Role of Technology: Drone-Based Survey

The project uses drone-based geospatial mapping:

• High-resolution mapping ensures:
  • Precision in boundary identification
  • Reduced human error
• Digital maps will be:
  • Shared with landowners
  • Integrated into official land record systems

This marks a transition from manual to technology-driven governance.

Institutional and Policy Linkages

The programme was launched with participation of Shivraj Singh Chouhan, highlighting its national significance.

• Linked to:
  • Urban governance reforms
  • Land record modernisation initiatives
• Supports:
  • Efficient city planning
  • Transparent property transactions

Complementary Water Resource Initiative

Alongside the survey project, emphasis was laid on watershed development:

• Addressing declining groundwater levels
• Construction of:
  • Check dams
  • Stop dams
  • Farm bunds
• Financial allocation:
  • ₹8,000 crore

This reflects an integrated approach combining land and water resource management.

Expected Outcomes

The ‘Naksha’ project is expected to:

• Reduce land-related disputes
• Improve ease of living in urban areas
• Strengthen property rights and ownership clarity
• Enable better urban infrastructure planning
• Facilitate investment and economic activity

Implications

• Strengthening of urban governance frameworks
• Promotion of digital land administration
• Increased investor confidence in real estate
• Improved resource management and planning
• Contribution to transparent and accountable governance

Static Part

‘Naksha’ Urban Land Survey Programme

• Nature:
  • National-level pilot project
• Objective:
  • Modernisation of urban land records
• Technology:
  • Drone-based mapping
• Coverage:
  • 152 urban bodies
  • 26 states + 3 UTs
• Output:
  • Digital land maps for citizens

Watershed Programme (MP Context)

• Allocation:
  • ₹8,000 crore
• Focus:
  • Water conservation structures
• Objective:
  • Address groundwater depletion

Updated - 19 February 2025 | 01:14 AM IST | The Times of India