Maharashtra Overhauls Land Survey System, Paving the Way for 30-Day Measurements

In a landmark reform set to benefit landowners across the state, the Government of Maharashtra has opened the doors for licensed private surveyors to conduct official land measurements. This move, introduced via a notification on 10th October 2025, amends the state's long-standing land revenue rules to dismantle the government monopoly on surveying. The objective is ambitious yet clear: to slash the time for critical land measurement processes to just 30 days, ending the crippling delays that have plagued property owners for decades.

Why land measurement (mojani) is crucial

For any property owner, a land survey, or mojani, is not just a technical procedure but the very foundation of their property rights. Its importance cannot be overstated:

1. Defining Boundaries: A survey officially establishes the exact boundaries of a property, preventing disputes and encroachments by neighbours.
2. Enabling Transactions: An accurate survey map is essential for buying, selling, or mortgaging property. It provides legal clarity and security to all parties involved.
3. Securing Approvals: Whether for obtaining building permissions, securing bank loans, or converting agricultural land to non-agricultural (NA) use, a formal measurement report is a prerequisite.
4. Facilitating Inheritance: In cases of family partitions or inheritance, a survey is necessary to sub-divide the land (hissedari) accurately and update the land records for all heirs.

Without a timely and accurate survey, property owners are often left in a state of uncertainty, unable to develop, transact, or even secure their land.

The old system: a story of delays

Previously, under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966, the responsibility for all land surveys rested exclusively with the state government's Land Records Department. Any landowner needing a measurement had to apply to a revenue officer and wait for a government surveyor from the District or Taluka Inspector of Land Records office to be assigned the task.

While the system was well-defined, it was crippled by a fundamental bottleneck: a massive workload handled by a limited number of government surveyors. This led to chronic inefficiencies such as:

1. Endless Waiting: Measurement cases would often be stuck in the pipeline for months, and sometimes even years.
2. Economic Gridlock: Delays in NA conversions and sub-divisions stalled real estate projects, infrastructure development, and industrial growth, tying up capital and opportunity.
3. Rising Disputes: The inability to get timely boundary demarcations meant that minor disagreements often escalated into costly and time-consuming court battles.

This state-monopolized system was simply unable to keep up with the demands of a rapidly growing economy, making a fundamental reform necessary.

The new solution:

The government's solution is a targeted amendment to the Maharashtra Land Revenue (Boundaries and Boundary Marks) Rules, 1969. The change is simple but profound: it allows an approved Licensed Surveyor to conduct measurements with the same legal validity as a government surveyor.

This effectively creates a parallel, faster track for landowners. Instead of waiting indefinitely in a government queue, a property owner can now engage a licensed private professional to get the work done. This shift from a state monopoly to a regulated public-private model is expected to clear the enormous backlog and ensure that future requests are handled within the new 30-day target.

What this means for property owners and the economy:

The implications of this reform are far-reaching:

1. For Individual Landowners: The new system empowers property owners. It provides a faster, more accessible way to secure their property rights. Timely demarcation will help prevent disputes, enable the quick updating of land records like the 7/12 extract and property cards, and make inheritance and property transfers much smoother.
2. For Real Estate and Development: For the construction and real estate sectors, this is a game-changer. Faster measurements for NA conversions, gunthewari regularisation, and sub-divisions will significantly shorten project timelines, reduce uncertainty, and boost investment.
3. For Dispute Resolution: In legal disputes over boundaries or encroachment, the ability to obtain a legally valid survey report in 30 days is invaluable. It allows for the swift collection of crucial evidence, which can help settle cases out of court or strengthen one's position in litigation.

A step towards a modern land records system:

By delegating this technical, non-judgmental function, the state has addressed one of the biggest hurdles in land administration. This reform is a pragmatic and revolutionary step, aligning with the larger national goal of digitizing records and moving towards a system of conclusive titling, where property ownership is clear, guaranteed, and secure. For the citizens of Maharashtra, it marks the beginning of a new era of efficiency and empowerment in land matters.