Sikkim: Better urban planning proposed through launch of NAKSHA

The Department of Land Revenue and Disaster Management, Government of Sikkim, today launched the NAKSHA project at the GMC hall in Deorali, marking a significant step toward improving urban planning in Sikkim. The event was attended by key officials, including Delay Namgyal Barfungpa, MLA and Advisor for Urban Development and Food & Civil Supplies, Government of Sikkim, who served as the Chief Guest.

The launch of NAKSHA, a pilot project under the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP), is aimed at updating and digitizing land records in urban areas to ensure accurate documentation of land ownership. This initiative, which focuses on enhancing urban planning and disaster management, is set to improve land dispute resolution and streamline the management of land resources in the state.

Barfungpa expressed his gratitude for being part of the event, emphasizing that NAKSHA is a vital step for updating Sikkim's outdated land records. He highlighted the need for collaboration among officials, councillors, and the public, stressing that urban development should integrate sustainable practices like water harvesting and solar technologies. He reiterated the vision for a “Sunaulo Samridha ani Samartha Sikkim,” achieved through collective efforts and accountability.

Gangtok District Collector, Tushar G Nikhare, stressed the importance of reviewing land records to ensure their relevance in contemporary urban planning. He praised the NAKSHA initiative for facilitating the transition to digital land records, which will improve accessibility and ease land dispute resolutions.

Uday Prasad, Director of the Survey of India, highlighted the technical aspects of the project and the role of Garuda UAV as the vendor responsible for the survey work. Meanwhile, Hem Kumar Chettri, State Nodal Officer for NAKSHA, provided an overview of the project’s scope, which includes surveying 19.02 square kilometers within the Gangtok Municipal Corporation area.

The launch also included a video on the NAKSHA project, a message from Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Rural Development, and a demonstration of survey instruments.