In a major policy initiative, aimed at resolving long-pending land ownership disputes in villages, the Delhi Government has decided to launch a comprehensive Abadi Deh survey using drone technology, digital records and property cards to provide legal proof of ownership to residents of rural areas.
The initiative, announced by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, seeks to bring clarity to the identification, ownership and documentation of Abadi Deh land, which has historically remained outside formal revenue records. The government will conduct a detailed survey, prepare and verify records and fully computerise these under a defined legal and administrative framework, a move expected to strengthen rural land management and provide villagers with financial security.
Sharing details of the initiative, CM Gupta stated that the Delhi Government had taken a step towards ensuring property ownership rights in rural Abadi Deh areas and resolving decades-old boundary disputes. For the effective implementation of the SVAMITVA Scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 24 on National Panchayati Raj Day, the Delhi Government has prepared a draft of the Delhi Abadi Deh Survey and Record Management Rules, 2025.
The draft defines the entire operational framework, from drone based aerial surveys and field verification to public objection procedures, dispute resolution, creation of digital records, and issuance of property cards. The objective is to ensure that no individual's rights are infringed and that land related disputes are resolved in a transparent, time bound and fair manner.
According to the government, the survey will be carried out under the direct supervision of the Revenue Department. Survey teams and technical agencies will jointly conduct surveys in Abadi Deh areas, extended Abadi Deh areas and other notified zones using drones and aerial photography to accurately capture the location, size and boundaries of land parcels. Alongside the technology-driven process, mandatory ground verification will be carried out to ensure that the mapped boundaries match ground realities.
The CM said the Revenue Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Survey of India in April 2022 for implementing the SVAMITVA Scheme in 48 rural villages of Delhi. Drone surveys have been completed in 31 villages so far, while 'Map 2.0' for 25 villages has been verified and submitted to the Survey of India for issuance of land parcel maps and geo-based identification numbers.
In the initial phase, physical demarcation of Abadi Deh boundaries will be undertaken. Survey teams will separately identify private plots, jointly owned land, roads, lanes, drains, community spaces, religious sites, graveyards, cremation grounds, government properties and areas not clearly visible in aerial surveys. Support from municipal corporations, the Delhi Development Authority and police administration will be taken wherever required to ensure smooth execution of the survey.
The government has also decided to fully computerise Abadi Deh records. A dedicated digital portal will be developed by the Revenue Department, allowing citizens to access copies of land records after paying the prescribed fees.
After completion of the process, property cards will be issued, serving as legal proof of ownership and enabling residents to access bank loans, financial assistance and government schemes.
Abadi Deh refers to the inhabited area of a village where houses and related structures are located. Due to the absence of formal records, residents have long faced ownership disputes and limited access to financial facilities. Under the SVAMITVA Scheme, the survey and issuance of property cards aims to provide villagers with concrete legal ownership and long term security.