Everything you need to know about cadastral map

Have you heard of a cadastral map? This is a crucial term in the land, property and real estate sector of India. These maps are also called BhuNaksha, and here are some interesting points about them: 

• Cadastral maps are digital versions of land records. 
• They indicate various parts of land parcels based on their area, length and direction. 
• You can easily view the ownership status of land parcels in various regions based on your needs. 
• Cadastral maps are maintained by their respective State Governments and also at the Central level. 

The Department of Land Resources, Government of India, started the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme in 2008. The aim was to maintain digital, spatial and textual forms of land records. Some State Governments have also continued with their own digitisation programs over the years. The Bhoomi project of the Government of Karnataka is one such example. 

2020 saw the launch of a property survey initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi called SVAMITVA. The program involves State and Central Governments undertaking surveys of property for digitising updated land records. It also covers updates to ownership statuses of properties in various locations. 

What are the details available in cadastral maps? 

Cadastral maps offer various helpful details, including the following: 

• Boundaries of land or plots. 
• Ownership of land parcels. 
• Lot or section numbers. 
• Unique identification numbers for land parcels. 
• Certificate of title numbers. 
• Chosen boundary dimensions. 
• Positions of any existing structures. 
• Survey district names. 

Why you should consider using cadastral maps

Here are some reasons why you should consider using cadastral maps: 

• Find extensive land data- Cadastral maps offer vast information, including all relevant land records details. These maps provide details regarding boundaries and the property size. 
• Save time and energy- These maps help save a lot of time since you can find all the necessary information online in a few minutes. You can easily use any mobile device to visit the State land records portal and get the property details that you need. 
• Verify ownership- Before entering into any transaction, you can use cadastral maps to verify the plot title and ownership details. This will help you avoid fraudulent land deals. 

Why are cadastral maps important in the property sector? 

Here are some reasons why cadastral maps are vital in the property sector: 

• They are the sole source of accurate and legitimate details regarding land records in any State. 
• They help you save time and bypass visits to Government offices to obtain these details. 
• They offer extensive information regarding the property title and ownership. 
• They help in the administration and transfer of ownership for any property. 
• These maps also help in the evaluation of land/property value along with applicable taxes. 
• They offer detailed data on land surveys based on divisions and boundaries. 

Why do cadastral maps require periodic updates?

Cadastral maps of several Indian States have already been fully digitised. However, they may not always show the latest or updated details on land ownership. They have to be updated periodically and ideally in real-time based on existing records. 

Updated and accurate land data will help prospective buyers make better purchase decisions. It will also help prevent property fraud and unauthorised transactions. Updated records also help resolve legal disputes related to property while lowering the chances of misunderstandings or confusion. 

Key features of Bhu Naksha

Some of the common features of the BhuNaksha or cadastral maps include the following: 

• They are created with free and open-source software. 
• Parcels are divided into the merging, printing and map categories. 
• It is the legacy map that has geo-referencing. 
• RoR (Record of Rights) integration is also present. 
• The online mutation is usually available for the FMB (Field Measurement Book). 
• Survey data, ETS machine data, FMB, ladder data and shape files can be imported. 
• There are separate modules for mobile applications, desktops and the web. 

Conclusion

As you can see, cadastral maps are vital tools for those looking to buy land or verify ownership details in the near future. They also serve as a repository of information and records about land parcels throughout the country. You should check your State land records website for more information in this regard.