After implementing the pilot in Nizamabad, the Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to roll out the Bhu Bharati to 13 more districts in the first phase.

Bhu Bharati is aimed at scientifically taking the images of land using Geographical Position System (GPS) and aerial photography to overcome the deficiencies in the maintenance of land records and grant conclusive land titles.

Though started in 2005, the project has hit several administrative and legal challenges, delaying the project. The pilot in Nizamabad, with a budget of Rs 34 crore, surveyed land in 914 villages out of the 927 in the district.

“We have decided to replicate this in 13 more districts conforming to the National Land Records Modernisation Programme guidelines,” N. Raghuveera Reddy, Minister for Revenue, told Business Line.

The programme would cover Kadapa, Chittoor, Nellore, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Krishna, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Anantapur, Nalgonda, Mahboobnagar and Warangal districts.

This phase would cost the Government Rs 425 crore and would be completed by the end of 2015, he said. The Union Government would contribute Rs 234 crore.

The RFP (request for proposal) is being prepared by the Information Technology and Communication Department. “We will submit it to the Government when we receive it,” he said.

kurmanath.kanchi@thehindu.co.in

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