AI, ML & Blockchain To Redefine Land Ownership Records In India

Manoj Joshi, Secretary of the Department of Land Resources, Government of India, said that the Centre has decided to conduct surveys of various lands using advanced tools like drones and robots, along with online platforms, including five cities in Gujarat. The implementation will extend to other cities over the next two years. Now, states across the country can work toward using cutting-edge technology to resolve cases quickly, for which specific policy frameworks can be formulated.

He mentioned that since most of the revenue-related information in Gujarat is available online, it saves time for both applicants and authorities during court cases. However, the department still sees many old cases related to land inheritance, boundaries, and land improvements. These cases often remain pending in revenue courts for a long time, and states, including Gujarat, need to work toward their speedy resolution.

At the conclusion of the two-day National Conference on Land Management and Disaster Management held at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, discussions were held on several policy-related issues. Action plans are being prepared to ensure that suggestions made by officials and experts from various states are implemented nationwide. Among the recommendations is that states need to use AI, machine learning, and blockchain to modernize land records.

Dr. Jayanti Ravi, Additional Chief Secretary of the Gujarat Revenue Department, stated that using technology alone is not sufficient to address the growing number of revenue cases. It is essential to perform process re-engineering to improve the long and complex procedures currently in place. She acknowledged that revenue staff often have other responsibilities, such as elections and disaster management, which can cause delays in procedures.

She added that since independence, the state has implemented several innovative reforms related to land. Initiatives such as iORA and e-Dhara have been launched to provide citizens with easy access to accurate information and services. The action plans from this conference will have national significance.

During the inauguration of the first day of the conference, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that to simplify the complex and cumbersome revenue processes, Gujarat launched I-ORA, an initiative providing over 35 end-to-end online services related to land records. Additionally, land surveys, which previously took a long time, are now completed within 21 days.

The conference covered various topics through panel discussions and reports, including modernization of revenue laws for citizen-centric governance, upgrading land records and registration systems, creation and updating of urban land records, process re-engineering for revenue court cases, resurvey efforts, land acquisition, best practices in disaster management, and human resource planning for modern land administration.

Highlights from the two-day conference:

Jenu Devan, Inspector General of Registration:
Land record and registration systems should consider citizens’ needs. Gujarat has taken initiatives regarding data privacy, fraud prevention, challenges for the government, online payments, and legal recognition of e-documents.

Swapnesh Sharma, Senior District Registrar, Maharashtra:
The SAMPADA 2.0 application in Madhya Pradesh has been very helpful, emphasising paperless and faceless registration.

H.L. Prabhakar, AIG of Registration, Karnataka:
Our government launched the KAVERI 2.0 blockchain project, which achieved the desired results and simplified the registration process.

Dr. Yashpal, Land Records Director, Haryana:
During land surveys, all details such as preparation of the area, boundaries, and maps, as well as traditional tools like compasses and theodolites for measuring directions, are used. Additionally, drone and satellite imagery have simplified the process of map creation.

Deepak Jacob, S&SD, Tamil Nadu:
Modernization and digitisation of urban land records are very essential. Despite challenges in administrative decisions, many tasks have become easier.

Shivangi Somvanshi, Geomatics Head, CEPT:
Using geographical technology and global innovations can improve urban land record management, for which programs like DILRMP and NAKSHA are important. Future technologies like AI automation and 3D cadastre can transform land record management.

Rajesh Manju, RIC, Gujarat:
Although revenue department information and services in Gujarat are online, applicants often need to visit district, taluka, and sub-divisional offices due to lack of awareness. District Collectors, Taluka, and Sub-Division offices need to collaborate with NIC to create a digital system that allows applicants to track the hearing time and progress of their cases.

Rajesh Mehta, SSRD, Gujarat:
To achieve faster, transparent, and citizen-centric case resolution in land administration, the use of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and smart technology is essential.

Pallavi, Senior Settlement Officer, Bihar:
In Bihar, several measures have been taken for land record surveys, land reform acts, special survey and settlement, resurvey, and problem resolution in surveys.