Bihar does GIS mapping of its major towns to document properties
Patna: according to reports, the state urban development department of the Bihar government is now carrying out geographic information system (GIS) mapping in towns and cities of Bihar. The move will enable urban local bodies to document the properties in a digitized data bank, leading of course to greater tax collection for the civic bodies. But the benefits to the citizens from this should also be obvious in the context of legal disputes. The main question here however is how the civic bodies are to be enabled to provide civic amenities through funds generated by themselves. So far, the towns covered by the move in the state include Gaya, Sasaram, Aurangabad, Dehri, Chhapra and Siwan.
The GIS-based maps would allow the government to get a complete picture of the total number of holdings and property value across the towns, essential for urban planning. The scheme is being implemented with the financial and technical support of Department for International Development (DFID), United Kingdom which has a six-year partnership with the urban development department for supporting urban reform programmes in Bihar. According to the understanding DFID will provide technical assistance in social development, poverty alleviation and increase of livelihoods in 28 towns of the state. however, it is the urban development department that will be responsible for the implementation of the schemes.
DFID has already invited proposals for appointing consulting firms to execute the mapping in Gaya, Sasaram, Aurangabad, Dehri, Nawada, Ara, Hajipur, Chhapra, Siwan, Biharsharif and Begusarai. The selected firms are expected to prepare GIS-based maps on a 1:1000 scale, using the QuickBird satellite imagery.
[courtesy: The Telegraph]