In an effort to modernize land records and ensure digital accountability for plots, the Delhi government has introduced Bhu Aadhaar, an initiative that assigns a 14-digit Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) to every land parcel in the city, effectively establishing an ‘Aadhaar’ for property ownership.
During the announcement of this initiative on Sunday, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized that the protection of property rights is the primary focus of the program. “Bhu-Aadhaar’ is not just a number; it serves as a robust digital tool against corruption and land disputes.
Numerous families invest their life savings in land, yet they frequently encounter legal issues due to ambiguous records,” the Chief Minister stated, further noting that this initiative will promote transparency and minimize disputes. “The necessity for implementing this system in Delhi has been recognized for a considerable time.
Although the Central Government launched the scheme nationally in 2016 through its ministries of rural development and the department of land resources, its implementation in Delhi was hindered by various factors. It is now being pursued in a mission-oriented approach,” Gupta remarked. A pilot project has already been completed in Tilangpur Kotla village, located in the West Delhi district, where 274 ULPIN records were successfully generated.
According to a government official, this exercise validated the technological framework and data accuracy prior to its citywide rollout. Each land parcel is given a permanent, unique alphanumeric identity derived from its exact longitude and latitude coordinates.
By connecting textual land records with geo-referenced maps, the system facilitates precise verification of ownership, plot size, and location. It is anticipated that this will streamline property transactions, mitigate the risk of fraud and multiple registrations, and resolve longstanding boundary disputes. Currently, the system is operational in 29 states and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
For citizens, the reform offers enhanced clarity and convenience. Rather than relying on numerous documents to verify title, a single ULPIN will deliver comprehensive digital information regarding a property. The system is anticipated to promote equitable property taxation, expedite loan approvals, and improve disaster planning through precise mapping of land ownership.
Furthermore, it will assist in identifying beneficiaries of schemes based on landholding size and aid in the establishment of organized land banks. The responsibility for its execution has been assigned to the IT division of the revenue department, which will also receive assistance from the Survey of India. ‘
The project will employ cutting-edge geospatial technology. “Each parcel will be georeferenced to facilitate seamless coordination of land data among departments. Approximately two terabytes of high-resolution geospatial data, including drone-based ortho-rectified images, are being utilized to create an accurate digital land map of the city,” the official stated.
