Imphal: The Manipur government is stepping up efforts to modernise its land administration system through digital land records, computerised revenue courts, improved online services and advanced mapping technologies, including drones and LiDAR.

Director of Settlement and Land Records David Elangbam outlined the initiatives during a “Meet the Press” programme at the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) auditorium on Tuesday. He said the department was working towards a transparent, efficient and citizen-friendly land management system to reduce procedural delays and minimise the need for people to visit government offices repeatedly.

Land record digitisation reaches 98.52%

According to Elangbam, digitisation of land records across Manipur’s six valley districts has reached 98.52%. Of the 605 revenue villages covered by the initiative, 596 have been fully digitised, while the remaining villages are targeted for completion by November 30, 2026.

Bishnupur and Thoubal have achieved 100% digitisation, while Imphal East, Imphal West, Jiribam and Kakching are approaching full coverage.

Residents can access eight online services through the department’s official portal, elandmanipur.mn.gov.in, and the LR Manipur mobile application. These include land revenue payments through Loucha Pathap, applications for land allotment and services related to land acquisition.

The National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS) is also operational across all sub-registrar offices in the valley districts, enabling digital processing of registration deeds.

Rs 7.55 crore proposal under DILRMP 3.0

The department has spent Rs 6.78 crore out of the Rs 6.99 crore released since 2020–21 under the ongoing phase of the Central Sector Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP).

For the next phase, covering 2026–27 to 2030–31, the government has submitted a proposal worth Rs 7.55 crore under DILRMP 3.0. The proposal includes a request for an initial instalment of Rs 2.08 crore for the current financial year.

Work is also underway to preserve historical land records digitally. The department has digitised 1,451 cadastral maps dating back to 1960, with the remaining resurvey maps scheduled for completion by October 31, 2026.

The digitisation of old registration documents is expected to be completed on the NGDRS portal by June 30, 2027.

Registration offices to be upgraded

As part of its infrastructure modernisation plan, the department intends to transform sub-registrar offices into advanced Registration Seva Kendras modelled on Passport Seva Kendras.

The proposed facilities will include dedicated waiting areas, disability-friendly amenities, Wi-Fi connectivity, CCTV surveillance and digital kiosks to improve service delivery and the overall experience for visitors.

The department also plans to consolidate land-related information on a unified geographic information system (GIS) platform. The proposed system will integrate cadastral maps, Unique Land Parcel Identification Numbers (ULPIN) and land tax rates, enabling easier access to information and better coordination among government departments.

Aadhaar-linked alerts to strengthen property security

To improve the security of land records and prevent property-related fraud, the government plans to introduce consent-based linking of Aadhaar and mobile numbers with land records.

The proposed system would generate automatic SMS alerts for property transactions, helping landowners receive timely notifications about changes involving their properties.

The digitisation drive will also extend to revenue courts, from the Sub-Deputy Collector (SDC) level to the ministry level. Once implemented, the system is expected to allow citizens to file cases involving land disputes and track their progress online.

Drone and LiDAR mapping for hill districts

Addressing the challenges posed by extensive unsurveyed areas in Manipur’s hill districts, the department is exploring advanced surveying methods to supplement conventional mapping techniques.

These include differential Global Positioning System (dGPS) technology, drones and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), which can help improve the accuracy and efficiency of land surveys.

The department is seeking financial and technical assistance from the Union government, including the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), to advance the proposed initiatives.

Joint Secretaries of Land Resources Lanjoy Thoudam and Chandam Bobo, SDC N Amarjit Singh, and officer Ranjit Maisnam also attended the press briefing.

The proposed measures form part of Manipur’s broader effort to digitise land administration, improve public access to government services, strengthen property security and address longstanding challenges in surveying and managing land records.