The Directorate of Survey and Settlement (DOSS) is set to acquire high-resolution satellite imagery to modernize and digitize land records throughout the state. The DOSS has released a request for proposal (RFP) aimed at establishing a comprehensive high-resolution satellite imagery (HRSI) database that will encompass an area of 130,000 square kilometers.
As outlined in the tender, this initiative is part of a larger strategy to create a modern and transparent land records management system, which will enhance governance, infrastructure planning, and the delivery of welfare programs. Once obtained, the satellite data will be integrated into the TN Geographical Information System (TNGIS), facilitating extensive mapping, land surveying, and governance applications.
Currently, we possess 2D data that only includes measurements and area. We will now also have latitude and longitude. The imagery will be superimposed on existing land records to verify accuracy. In urban areas, even a slight discrepancy can lead to property disputes, unlike in rural settings, stated M. Venkadesan, Additional Director of DOSS. The Directorate has initiated ground routing to verify the accuracy of reference points.
Out of 25,000 points, we have successfully completed 18,000 to date. This will aid in planning and the next phase of data visualization, he further explained. “The resolution of 30 cm guarantees that the mapping is not only thorough but also detailed, providing a deeper insight into geographical features, land use patterns, and infrastructural developments across the vast area of 130,000 square kilometers,” the official added.
Anna Kuberan, General Secretary of the TN Survey Officers Union, remarked that such initiatives should first be piloted on a smaller scale before broader implementation. “They should initially conduct a pilot in a small village, assess its accuracy, and then roll it out statewide. Nowadays, individuals even resort to legal action for a half-inch discrepancy.
