Maharashtra Government will be conducting a new land survey for agricultural land in the State, focusing on early updation of records and resolving disputes. The Government is implementing state-of-the-art technologies like drones to create accurate land records and maps based on Geographic Information System (GIS). This initiative aims to reduce property-related disputes and facilitate better rural planning. Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Revenue Minister, shared this information on Thursday in the Upper House during the Monsoon Session underway in Mumbai. MLC Shivajirao Garje, in the House, raised the issue of unnecessary harassment of farmers by legal matters for their own lands. Land records do not have proper data about agriculture lands.

 

Even farmers face obstacles to prove their ownership on their own lands. In reply, the Revenue Minister said, “The Government will utilise drones and GIS technology to conduct land surveys, particularly for Gaothan areas (areas traditionally used for residences).” The updated records and GIS maps will help minimise land-related disputes and legal cases, ensuring clarity and accuracy in property ownership, claimed Bawankule. “The Government has completed 70 per cent land record mapping of villages under Digital India Mission. The mapping of Gaothan will be completed by September 30 this year,” informed Bawankule in the Upper House. Bawankule also informed that, the Government had also initiated a pilot project in three talukas of all six divisions in the State in which sub-share of plots mapping took place.

 

Under this project, 4,77,784 sub-shares of plots would be surveyed till 2026. In the next three years, the survey and mapping will be completed in entire Maharashtra, informed Bawankule. For this project, Government had purchased 1,200 rovers and drones and the data gathered during the survey would be digitalised with the help of GIS technology, he added. The data would be used by the Gram Panchayats for the determination of property tax. To improve the accuracy and ease of Survey, the GNSS-based Rovers would be of use. 77 Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) had been established in Maharashtra for this purpose. Survey using Rovers will result into accurate, quick and geo-referenced map that could be uploaded quickly on GIS platform, for use by agencies and citizens. Use of Rover will significantly reduce the time taken to complete any survey, explained Bawankule.