Survey also to be used for property tax, Batamaloo likely to be first area to have such facility
SRINAGAR: The houses and shops in Srinagar city will soon have unique digital door number plates featuring QR codes, a survey of which is almost complete.
In 2021, the Srinagar Smart City Limited unveiled a significant initiative, the Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping project.
The ambitious project was aimed to provide every household and establishment in Srinagar with a distinctive digital address. Spearheaded by the Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) in partnership with the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), this endeavor has been developed in collaboration with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, New Delhi, and GeoVista.
To date, approximately 2 lakh structures have been surveyed, with pending areas being addressed. In areas where the survey is finalized, digital door number plates will be installed outside residences and businesses. These plates not only display the unique door number but also incorporate essential address information and a QR code for easy scanning and reference, said a senior official at Srinagar Smart City Limited.
Adding that he said, comprehensive survey entails the utilization of GIS technology, GPS (Global Positioning System), and satellite imagery to chart all plots, houses, commercial establishments, and educational institutions within the city.
Subsequently, a physical survey of these structures and plots has been conducted. This all-encompassing survey has gathered vital data on building attributes, plinth area, land use, commercial usage, septic tank presence, electricity connections, water sources, as well as the layout of lanes and by-lanes, he said.
The GIS numbering system signifies the implementation of QR-based and GIS-based addresses for these locations. A meticulously designed system has been devised, which involves the segmentation of areas and lanes. As part of the project, the process of assigning names and numbers to these lanes is underway. Following the completion of this naming and numbering phase, every premises will receive a distinct and unique address, he said.
He further emphasized that the GIS mapping project will significantly enhance the efficiency of the delivery system, encompassing various crucial aspects such as drainage, sanitation, snow clearance, ration distribution, electricity supply, and road network management. Furthermore, it will prove invaluable for optimizing emergency services and response mechanisms.
Meanwhile, sources said the data that is being collected by the Srinagar Smart City Limited will be also be used for property tax. “Property tax has to come into place whether today or tomorrow, so what we are doing is that we will use the information regarding the plots, houses, commercial establishments and others to make thing easier”, said an official at Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
The government is working on the software for the property tax and the information that is being collected will be used there, which will defiantly will be a game changer, he said.
