Centre Approves Rs 65 Crore Under DRISHTI Project
The Central Government has approved Rs 65 crore for a geospatial survey and mapping project aimed at helping residents of Delhi’s unauthorised colonies secure property rights. The initiative, called DRISHTI (Delhi Revenue and Imaging Survey, Spatial Technology Initiative), is expected to speed up property documentation and registration under the PM-UDAY scheme.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the approval on October 7, 2026, describing the project as an important step towards providing greater legal security to families living in more than 1,500 unauthorised colonies across the capital.
How Will The Rs 65 Crore Be Used?
The project will establish a modern geographic information system (GIS) to survey, map and verify properties in notified unauthorised colonies.
Of the total Rs 65 crore project cost, Rs 52 crore, or 80%, will be provided by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs through the Urban Development Fund. The remaining Rs 13 crore will come from the Delhi government’s Revenue Department, which will implement the project.
The digital mapping system will link individual properties with their geographical coordinates and relevant documentation. This is expected to make property identification more accurate and reduce delays caused by incomplete or inconsistent records.
What Is The PM-UDAY Scheme?
PM-UDAY stands for Pradhan Mantri-Unauthorized Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana. The scheme aims to provide eligible residents of notified unauthorised colonies with property rights and legal recognition over their homes.
Many residents in these areas have faced difficulties establishing formal ownership because of complex documentation, unclear property boundaries and incomplete records.
The new survey is intended to help authorities verify claims and create a more reliable record of properties before processing applications under the scheme.
However, the survey itself will not automatically grant ownership rights to every resident. Applications will still need to meet the applicable eligibility and documentation requirements.
PM-UDAY Cells To Be Set Up In 13 Districts
The Delhi government will establish dedicated PM-UDAY cells in all 13 districts, along with a unit at the Revenue Department headquarters.
These centres are expected to help coordinate property surveys, documentation and registration-related work.
The initiative is intended to make the process more accessible for residents, who may otherwise have to navigate multiple government offices to resolve property-related issues.
How Could Residents Benefit?
If implemented effectively, the project could help eligible property owners obtain clearer documentation and improve the transparency of property records.
Formal property rights can also make it easier for residents to establish ownership, resolve disputes and access certain financial services where recognised property documents are required.
Accurate mapping could additionally help government agencies coordinate urban planning and infrastructure development in areas that have historically had incomplete property records.
What Happens Next?
The Delhi government’s Revenue Department will be responsible for implementing the project in coordination with the agencies involved in PM-UDAY.
The success of DRISHTI will depend on the accuracy of the surveys, integration of property records and timely processing of applications. Residents will still need to follow the official process for establishing their eligibility.
Summary
The Centre has approved Rs 65 crore for DRISHTI, a GIS-based survey and mapping project covering Delhi’s unauthorised colonies. The Centre will contribute Rs 52 crore, while the Delhi government will provide Rs 13 crore. The initiative aims to speed up property documentation under PM-UDAY, which covers more than 1,500 colonies. Dedicated facilitation cells will be established in all 13 districts, but property rights will remain subject to eligibility and verification.
