Digital land survey risks taking centuries, as only 274 mouzas surveyed since 2012
Digital Land Survey Risks Taking Centuries in Bangladesh
Bdbusinessdaily.com – Bangladesh’s digital land survey risks taking centuries at its current pace. Since the programme began in 2012, only 274 of the country’s 58,590 mouzas have been surveyed under the Bangladesh Digital Survey, despite a government target to complete the work within 15 years.
That progress represents fewer than 20 mouzas a year. Unless survey capacity expands sharply, the effort to modernise land records nationwide could extend far beyond the intended deadline.
The Department of Land Records and Surveys attributes the slow progress to weak planning, staff shortages, limited technical capacity and administrative delays. Officials have proposed outsourcing manpower, strengthening training and using modern survey equipment to speed up field operations.
Technology Could Transform Land Administration
The Bangladesh Digital Survey was designed to replace older survey methods with a technology-based process. The planned system uses satellite imagery, Global Navigation Satellite System receivers, Electronic Total Stations, drones, aircraft-based surveys, photogrammetry and geo-referencing.
A Tk1,212 crore project was intended to conduct digital cadastral surveys across the country. Its goal is not only to produce more accurate maps, but also to create records that can be updated more efficiently when land ownership changes.
With geo-referenced digital maps, authorities could revise records through map updates and partitioning instead of repeatedly conducting full field surveys. New large-scale surveys would generally be needed only after major physical changes, including river erosion or landslides.
For landowners, a reliable digital system could simplify access to khatians and maps, help verify ownership and reduce the risk of false deeds. Better records may also reduce disputes and litigation arising from unclear boundaries or conflicting documents.
Vacant Posts Limit Survey Work
Manpower remains one of the largest obstacles. Of 7,632 approved posts at the department, only 2,674 are filled, leaving 4,958 vacancies—about 65% of the authorised workforce.
Many unfilled positions are essential to field surveys, including surveyors, draftmen, kanungos, assistant settlement officers and deputy settlement officers. Recruitment delays and court cases have further slowed efforts to fill these roles.
Bangladesh initially had 10 zonal settlement offices with upazila-level offices. Nine additional zonal offices and related upazila offices were later established, but the Ministry of Finance has not approved the staffing structure needed to recruit personnel for the newer offices.
“But the digital survey has not progressed properly due to manpower shortages and administrative complications. Amin and surveyor positions have not been filled. Some recruitment processes have also been stalled because of court cases,” said Md Mominur Rashid, director of Land Records at the department.
New Project Seeks Faster Progress
Officials are preparing a new project that would combine outsourced personnel with advanced technology. The department has proposed using RTK technology to improve the speed and precision of digital land measurement.
A pilot programme is operating in 34 upazilas across six districts with support from the South Korean government. The World Bank has also expressed interest in providing financial and technical assistance.
The digital land survey risks taking far longer than planned unless recruitment accelerates, staffing for settlement offices is approved and the proposed technology-led expansion is put into practice. Achieving the 15-year target will require much faster implementation than the programme has managed since 2012.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mouza in Bangladesh?
A mouza is a recognised revenue and land-survey area used for maintaining land records. Bangladesh has 58,590 mouzas, all of which are relevant to the nationwide survey programme.
How can a digital land survey help citizens?
Digital maps and updated records could make it easier for citizens to check land information, access khatians and maps, verify ownership and address boundary-related disputes.
Will a digital survey remove the need for future land surveys?
Not entirely. Geo-referenced maps can be updated when ownership changes, reducing the need for repeated full surveys. However, major changes to land, such as erosion or landslides, may still require fresh field surveys.