Hubballi: The preliminary works of the ambitious geographic information system (GIS) 3D modelling survey aimed at integrating all properties in the twin cities into the property tax net has commenced. As a part of this Rs 23.51 crore project, an aerial survey of the entire twin cities is expected to take off this month.
Demand for a comprehensive survey of all properties to have accurate details of ‘hidden’ and ‘wrongly assessed’ properties, mainly to increase the property tax revenue of the civic body, was long pending. After the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) decided to take up the survey zone-wise utilising its own funds, tender was called, and now, work orders are issued to two agencies.
The contract for completing the GIS survey in 15 months has been awarded to Genesys International Corporation Limited (for 11 zones), and RSI Softech India Private Limited (for one zone). As the first stage of the GIS survey, these agencies have sought the permission of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to fly aircraft with LiDAR sensors to conduct aerial survey to have 3D model of the entire twin cities.
According to HDMC Commissioner Rudresh Ghali, the accurate boundary of the HDMC limits for the survey is being fixed by sharing the map by the government with the GIS survey agencies, while the aerial survey is expected to begin in 15 days.
Rs 138 cr tax collected
Out of Rs 140 crore property tax collection targetted for 2024-25, the HDMC has collected Rs 138 crore. Officials are expecting that the GIS survey would bring up to Rs 350 crore property tax per annum, by increasing the number of properties in the tax net from the existing 3.39 lakh to 4.5 lakh. They consider this survey as a major move for revenue mobilisation, when the corporation often comes under criticism for its financial crisis.
After the aerial mapping, the GIS survey will have door-to-door survey, panoramic street-view, 3D mapping, database creation, software development and other aspects, to have accurate details of properties. The 3D modelling of twin cities, including roads and other utilities is expected to come in handy in future planning also.
“Both the agencies will conduct an aerial survey together. They have availed the first level of permission, and final approval from the DGCA for flying is expected in 10 to 15 days,” said HDMC Additional Commissioner Vijaykumar R.
LiDAR survey aircraft has to be operated without disturbing the movement of other flights and helicopters. If the aircraft is operated daily for two to three hours, aerial survey may take little more than 15 days to get completed, he added.