“Punjab’s E-Naksha scheme expands to revolutionize urban planning, digitizing land records for 25 more cities. The initiative enhances transparency, streamlines approvals, and supports sustainable development, aligning with Digital India’s vision.”
Punjab’s E-Naksha Scheme Scales Up to Transform Urban Planning
In a significant push towards modernizing urban governance, Punjab’s E-Naksha scheme has been expanded to include 25 additional cities, bringing the total coverage to over 50 urban centers across the state. Launched under the Digital Punjab initiative, E-Naksha aims to digitize land records and streamline urban planning processes, fostering transparency and efficiency in property transactions and development approvals.
The scheme, initially piloted in five cities including Ludhiana and Amritsar in 2023, has shown promising results, reducing processing times for building plan approvals by 40% and minimizing discrepancies in land records. With the recent expansion announced on July 1, 2025, by the Punjab Department of Housing and Urban Development, cities like Jalandhar, Patiala, and Bathinda will now benefit from this digital overhaul. The move aligns with the state’s vision to integrate technology into governance, supporting the broader Digital India framework.
E-Naksha leverages Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to provide a centralized platform for accessing land records, zoning details, and urban development plans. Citizens can now verify property details, apply for building permits, and track application statuses online, reducing dependency on manual processes prone to delays and errors. The platform also enables municipal authorities to monitor land use patterns, ensuring compliance with master plans and promoting sustainable urban growth.
According to state officials, the expansion is backed by a ₹150 crore investment to enhance digital infrastructure, including cloud-based servers and real-time data integration. Over 10,000 land records have already been digitized in the newly included cities, with plans to complete the process by mid-2026. The initiative has also introduced training programs for municipal staff to adapt to the digital system, ensuring seamless implementation.
The scheme addresses longstanding challenges in Punjab’s urban planning, such as illegal constructions and outdated records, which have hindered development in rapidly growing cities. For instance, Jalandhar, with a population exceeding 900,000, has faced issues with unregulated land use. E-Naksha’s real-time mapping and verification tools are expected to curb such violations, fostering orderly urban expansion.
Stakeholders, including real estate developers, have welcomed the expansion, citing faster approvals and reduced bureaucratic hurdles. “The E-Naksha platform has made it easier to verify land titles and obtain clearances, saving both time and costs,” said Rajesh Kumar, a Ludhiana-based developer. However, some residents in smaller towns have raised concerns about limited internet access and digital literacy, urging the government to provide offline support during the transition.
The Punjab government has also integrated E-Naksha with other digital initiatives, such as the Punjab Land Records Society’s online portal, to create a unified ecosystem for land and property management. This interoperability enhances data accuracy and reduces fraud, a critical step in building trust among citizens. Additionally, the scheme supports environmental goals by promoting planned urban layouts that optimize land use and reduce encroachment on green spaces.
As India’s urban population is projected to double by 2050, initiatives like E-Naksha are vital for sustainable development. Punjab’s proactive approach could serve as a model for other states, addressing the ₹70 lakh crore urban infrastructure deficit highlighted by recent reports. With the E-Naksha scheme, Punjab is paving the way for smarter, more inclusive cities, balancing growth with governance.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent reports and official statements from the Punjab Department of Housing and Urban Development. Information has been sourced from government announcements and credible news outlets. Readers are advised to verify details with official channels for the latest updates.