New Delhi: The implementation of the PM-UDAY Scheme, which aims to provide property rights to residents of Delhi’s unauthorised colonies, is set for a technology-driven push with the launch of a new ₹65-crore geospatial mapping project.
The Central Government has approved the DRISHTI (Delhi Revenue and Imaging Survey, Spatial Technology Initiative) project to establish a modern geospatial and GIS-based survey and mapping system across the national capital. The initiative is expected to make property surveys more transparent, systematic and time-bound while helping strengthen the implementation of PM-UDAY.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the technology-based system will improve the way properties are surveyed and mapped, making the process more organised and transparent.
₹65 Crore Project to Modernise Property Mapping
The DRISHTI project has an estimated cost of ₹65 crore. A major share of the funding will come from the Urban Development Fund (UDF) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
The funding pattern includes:
- ₹52 crore, or 80 per cent of the project cost, will be provided as a grant from the Urban Development Fund.
- ₹13 crore, or 20 per cent, will be contributed by the Delhi Government’s Revenue Department.
- The Revenue Department will be responsible for implementing the project.
The initiative will introduce modern geospatial and GIS-based technologies into the property survey process. This can help create more structured property records and improve the accuracy and efficiency of mapping across Delhi.
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PM-UDAY Cells to Come Up in All 13 Districts
As part of the project, dedicated PM-UDAY Cells will be established in all 13 districts of Delhi, along with an additional branch at the Revenue Department headquarters.
The district-level structure is expected to bring the implementation process closer to residents and provide dedicated administrative support for PM-UDAY-related property matters.
PM-UDAY, or the Pradhan Mantri-Unauthorized Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana, seeks to provide ownership or transfer and mortgage rights to residents of unauthorised colonies in Delhi.
The scheme addresses a long-standing issue faced by residents who have lived in such colonies but lacked formal property rights over their homes.
GIS Technology to Improve Transparency
Property mapping is a crucial part of providing legal recognition and property rights. Traditional survey processes can involve multiple stages of verification and documentation, which may take considerable time.
The DRISHTI project aims to use geospatial technology to make this process more systematic.
With GIS-based mapping, authorities can develop digital spatial records of properties and use location-based data during surveys and verification. This can support better coordination between field-level teams and administrative offices.
The technology-driven approach is also expected to improve transparency by creating a more organised framework for property identification and mapping.
What the Project Means for Residents
For residents of Delhi’s unauthorised colonies, the project could make the process of securing property rights more structured and accessible.
The establishment of PM-UDAY Cells at the district level is particularly significant as it can provide dedicated administrative mechanisms for handling scheme-related work. Instead of relying only on centralised offices, residents can have district-level support for matters linked to property surveys and related processes.
A stronger digital mapping system can also help authorities identify and verify properties more efficiently, supporting the wider objective of extending formal property rights.
Strengthening Urban Governance Through Technology
The DRISHTI project represents a wider shift towards using digital and geospatial technologies for urban land and property management.
By combining GIS-based mapping with dedicated PM-UDAY Cells, Delhi aims to create a more coordinated system for property surveys and administration. The ₹65-crore investment also reflects the Centre and Delhi Government’s focus on improving the technological infrastructure supporting property-related governance.
The project is expected to provide a stronger foundation for the implementation of PM-UDAY and help move the process of granting property rights in unauthorised colonies towards a more transparent, systematic and time-bound framework.
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