Pune: Maharashtra Revenue Department to Appoint Private Land Surveyors to Clear 3.12 Crore Pending Cases

Pune, 13th October 2025: In a major step to expedite land surveys across the state, the Maharashtra Revenue Department has initiated the process of appointing licensed private land surveyors. The move aims to clear over 3 crore 12 lakh pending survey applications that have been delayed due to a shortage of government surveyors.

The procedure for appointing these private surveyors is in its final stage, and the agency responsible for issuing licenses is expected to be appointed soon, said Dr. Suhas Divase, Settlement Commissioner, Pune. “Through this system, private land surveyors with high technical qualifications will be authorized to conduct measurements using the latest technology,” he added.

Pending Survey Cases and Delays
A variety of survey applications are currently pending, including those for pothassa, permanent boundary demarcation, uncultivated land, gunthewari, joint land acquisition, forest rights claims, urban land surveys, village land surveys, and ownership rights.

Dr. Divase emphasized that this initiative is a critical step toward modernizing land survey processes in Maharashtra and reducing citizen grievances. “With licensed private surveyors using advanced technology, the accuracy of land records will improve, and disputes will be minimized,” he said.

Due to the limited number of government surveyors, a single survey case currently takes 90 to 120 days to complete, causing significant inconvenience to citizens and a continuous backlog of applications.

How the New System Will Work
Under the new system, private surveyors will measure land and submit documentation for verification. The Taluka Inspector of Land Records, Deputy Superintendent of Land Records, or City Survey Officer will examine and certify the measurements.

“The government is aiming to ensure land transactions follow a clear process — first measurement, then purchase deed, and finally modification. This will help prevent disputes arising from incorrect land descriptions or discrepancies between deed and actual site,” the Land Records Department stated.

Preparation of Rules and Regulations
Revenue officials are currently drafting regulations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the private surveyors. These guidelines will determine:
The rights and responsibilities of surveyors
Fees to be charged
Inspection protocols after surveys are completed
Precautions to be taken by officials overseeing the work
Once these regulations are finalized and the private surveyors are appointed, the department expects the processing of pending survey applications to accelerate significantly.