GIS sweep to uncover hidden properties, boost HDMC revenue by `200 crore

The Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has launched a city-wide Geographic In formation System (GIS) based property survey to identify unassessed and under-assessed properties, correct discrepancies in property tax assessments and significantly boost its revenue. The survey, being implemented across all zones, follows a pilot project in Zone 5, where around 13,000 Property Identification Numbers (PIDs) were mapped. Based on the findings of the pilot, the civic body has now begun extending the exercise to the remaining zones.

Mumbai-based Genesys International Corporation is carrying out the on-ground GIS mapping. The exercise is expected to be completed by late November or early December, according to officials. Speaking to News Trail, HDMC Deputy Commissioner (Devlopment),Vijaykumar R estimated that the survey could identify between 50,000 and 1 lakh properties that are either outside the property tax net or have been under assessed. The civic body expects the exercise to generate an additional Rs 100 crore to Rs 200 crore in property tax revenue.

The survey is aimed at addressing several discrepancies in the existing property tax system. These include properties that have not been brought under the tax net, under-reporting of property dimensions, commercial establishments being assessed under residential tax categories and large resi dential structures constructed on land earlier recorded as unassessed open plots, he said. Vijaykumar said property tax assessments have, in many cases, been based on declarations submitted by property owners and pro cessed through a private agency.

The GIS-based assessment will help the corporation compare declared details with the actual physical dimensions and usage of properties, he added. The data collected through the door-to-door GIS survey will undergo a three-stage verification process before being finalised. In the first stage, GIS survey personnel and HDMC officials will verify the information collected. The Revenue Department will examine the data in the second stage. In the final stage, Revenue Deputy Commissioners, Joint Commissioners and Assistant Commission ers (Development) will conduct spot inspections wherever required.

Any discrepancies detected during the verification process will be rectified, officials said. To create a permanent digital record of proper ties, HDMC also plans to assign a unique 16-digit permanent PID to every property within the twin cities. The identification number will be linked to the property's geographi cal coordinates, including latitude and longitude, to ensure that the digital record remains stable even if ward or zone boundaries are changed. 3.54 lakh properties within HDMC limits HDMC has around 3.54 lakh properties within its jurisdiction.

These include approximately 1.80 lakh residential properties, 1.30 lakh commercial properties and around 38,000 industrial and other non commercial properties. The corporation had set a property tax collection target of Rs 200 crore for 2024-25. Following the GIS survey and reassess ment, officials expect the annual property tax revenue to rise substantially, with a projected target of Rs 250 crore to Rs 450 crore for 2025-26. Officials said meet ings would be held with elected representa tives, political leaders, representatives of vari ous organisations and members of the public to explain the objectives and benefits of the survey and seek their cooperation.