Chandigarh Begins ‘Naksha’ Urban Land Digitisation Pilot Across 30.61 Sq Km

Chandigarh has been chosen as one of the 152 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) under a national pilot initiative titled 'Naksha', which is aimed at digitising urban land records across India. The project, led by the Department of Land Resources under the Ministry of Rural Development, is expected to address major inefficiencies in the country’s urban land management system.

Target Area Covers 30.61 Sq Km and Five Villages

The pilot in Chandigarh spans a total of 30.61 square kilometres and includes Sectors 2 to 17 (excluding Sector 13) along with five villages—Sarangpur, Burail, Kajheri, Palsora, and Attawa. This combined area is home to approximately 1.48 lakh residents.

Addressing Urban Land Challenges Through Digitisation

The 'Naksha' initiative has been introduced to tackle persistent issues in urban land systems such as outdated records, ambiguous property ownership, increasing legal disputes, and limitations in infrastructure development due to unclear documentation. Furthermore, access to credit remains a challenge for many property holders owing to inaccurate or missing land records.

Key Objectives of the Naksha Project

• Modernise and digitise urban land records for better reliability and accessibility
• Enhance governance efficiency and urban planning through accurate geospatial data
• Reduce legal disputes and fraud via transparent property documentation
• Boost trust in administration and improve the ease of doing business
• Enable financial strengthening of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)

Execution Strategy and Community Outreach

To ensure smooth execution, the Deputy Commissioner of Chandigarh has been appointed as the nodal officer. A State Project Management Unit (SPMU) has been formed, and 20 specialised field survey teams have been deployed for on-ground operations. Public awareness is also being encouraged through newly launched official social media handles across Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube, targeting the five villages and selected sectors.

Tech-Driven Land Management for the Future

The project integrates aerial mapping, field surveys, and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to build a detailed and comprehensive geospatial database. This will enable better urban planning, smoother property transactions, and data-backed land use decisions—ultimately creating a more investor-friendly real estate environment.

Part of a Larger National Vision

The 'Naksha' pilot is a key component of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP). It marks a critical step forward in the Government of India's push to modernise and simplify land governance, especially in densely populated urban settings.

Disclaimer: This news report is based on publicly available information and government press releases. It does not offer investment advice or legal opinion. Readers are encouraged to consult official sources for confirmation.