Thousands of property owners in Delhi’s Lal Dora and Abadi villages are set to receive digitally verified smart property cards under the Centre’s Svamitva scheme, with the government preparing to begin distribution after completing surveys across several villages.The move is aimed at addressing the long-standing absence of authenticated ownership records in these settlements by issuing property cards backed by digital records. The government expects the initiative to help reduce disputes and strengthen land record management.Chief minister Rekha Gupta said that surveys have been completed in 48 villages, while the final property cards have been prepared for 30 villages. According to the Delhi Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), officials surveyed 12,232 properties, with 8,423 of them, around 69%, found to be free of disputes and therefore eligible for the smart property cards.
Digital identity for properties
Lal Dora and Abadi villages comprise residential settlements where formal ownership records have traditionally been unavailable, often resulting in disputes and hurdles during property transactions.The Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (Svamitva), launched in 2020, seeks to create digital records of such residential properties using drone surveys and GIS mapping.Highlighting the initiative, Gupta said, “The absence of systematic and authenticated property records in Lal Dora areas has caused difficulties for residents for years. Through modern technology, every property will now have a clear identity. Govt would organise a formal distribution programme once the cards are ready.”
What owners will receive
Each smart property card will carry information including the Property Identification Number (PID), village and district details, the occupant’s name, share in the property, total land area, built-up and open area, Bhu-Aadhar number and details of co-occupants.A QR code printed on the card will provide access to a digital Form-13 containing the property’s sketch, boundaries, neighbouring property IDs, khasra number, details of co-occupants and family members, along with the tehsildar’s digital signature and official seal.The property records will also include an occupancy certificate issued under the Delhi Abadi Deh Survey and Record Management Rules, 2025.The government has said that the smart cards will be integrated with the Delhi Online Registration Information System (DORIS), allowing real-time updates while maintaining tamper-proof digital property records.Survey work has already been completed in the South and North West districts, while authorities are continuing to resolve disputes in the remaining districts before issuing the cards.
