DIGITIZING LAND RECORDS 14-DIGIT ‘BHUDHAAR’ ROLLOUT

In a significant move towards modernizing land administration in Telangana, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has ordered the accelerated implementation of the 14-digit Bhudhaar system, a unique land parcel identification initiative that promises to revolutionize the way property ownership and transactions are recorded in the state. Much like Aadhaar serves as a unique identification number for individuals, the Bhudhaar will serve as a distinctive code for every piece of land, enhancing transparency, minimizing disputes, and enabling more efficient governance.

The CM emphasized that digitization of land records is not merely a bureaucratic upgrade, but a necessity in the present day to curb fraudulent practices, resolve ownership disputes swiftly, and ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach the rightful beneficiaries. With this system, land parcels will be assigned a fixed 14-digit number, which will be linked to updated digital maps and records. This will also facilitate smoother real estate transactions, improve revenue collection, and strengthen investor confidence in Telangana’s land market.

One of the key advantages of the Bhudhaar system is that it will allow any landowner, buyer, or government official to easily verify the details of a property online, without having to navigate through multiple layers of local records offices. The digitization process will integrate survey numbers, geospatial mapping, and ownership details into a single, unified platform. This will help prevent land grabbing, illegal encroachments, and fake documentation, which have historically plagued several regions of the state.

Alongside the rollout of Bhudhaar, the Chief Minister has also stressed the importance of speeding up mutation and inheritance applications. Currently, delays in updating records after property transfers or inheritance can cause prolonged disputes. With digital Bhudhaar-linked records, such updates are expected to be processed more quickly and with greater accuracy.

The CM also linked this land records initiative to broader development efforts, notably directing that Indiramma housing projects be ready for inauguration by the end of the month. These housing schemes are aimed at providing dignified shelter to economically weaker sections and are expected to benefit thousands of families across Telangana. Ensuring that the land records are clean and dispute-free will be critical to handing over houses without legal hindrances.

In another major step toward improving citizen services, the government plans to establish 10 new urban sub-registrar offices. These offices will feature modern, public-friendly facilities such as dedicated parking spaces, waiting areas, and canteens, ensuring that visitors do not face the long-standing inconveniences of overcrowded and under-equipped government buildings. The CM has directed officials to make these offices technologically advanced, integrating online services for property registration, fee payments, and document verification to reduce manual processes and corruption risks.

The introduction of Bhudhaar also ties into Telangana’s larger goal of creating a completely transparent and corruption-resistant land management system. With clear ownership data, the state can also streamline the disbursal of subsidies, land compensation, and welfare benefits, as it will be easy to identify legitimate beneficiaries. Furthermore, linking Bhudhaar with other government databases can strengthen urban planning, rural development, and infrastructure expansion projects.

Critically, the success of the 14-digit Bhudhaar system will depend on public awareness and accessibility. The government is expected to launch an information campaign to educate landowners, farmers, and real estate stakeholders on how to check their Bhudhaar numbers, verify property details online, and report any discrepancies.

By pushing for rapid execution of the Bhudhaar initiative alongside housing and registrar office upgrades, the Telangana government is signaling its commitment to transparent governance, ease of doing business, and citizen welfare. If implemented effectively, this system could set a benchmark for other Indian states looking to digitize and secure their land records.

This approach combining modern technology with infrastructure upgrades and citizen-centric reforms could transform land management from a historically opaque and contentious process into a streamlined, trustworthy, and accessible public service for all.