Maha to digitise registration records from 1865; nearly 30 crore pages to go online

Pune: The Maharashtra Registration and Stamps Department has revived a major project to digitise over a century of land and registration records. State registration officials told TOI that the initiative aims to digitise 30 crore pages of historical documents dating back to 1865, a move set to transform property transparency and ease of transactions across the state.The ambitious project covers a massive archive: 11 crore pages from physical registers (1865–1985) and roughly 19 crore pages currently stored on microfilms and CDs (1927–2001). These records are housed at various sub-registrar offices and the Government Photographic Registration Office in Pune."The govt has appointed an agency to execute the work," said deputy IGR (IT) Abhay Mohite. "The exercise will convert legacy records into a searchable digital format integrated with our e-search system. It involves scientific restoration, high-resolution scanning, and the use of an AI-enabled document management system (DMS) for secure cloud storage."The project will be executed in phases. While modern scanned formats will be integrated quickly, older physical registers and degraded microfilms will require delicate restoration and specialised technical handling. Once complete, the system will allow citizens to conduct title verifications and access property documents online, eliminating the need for physical visits to govt offices.Beyond convenience, the digital shift acts as a safeguard. "Digitisation reduces the risk of loss or damage and ensures long-term preservation against disasters like fires or floods," Mohite added.This move marks a significant step toward paperless governance in Maharashtra. Authorities believe the project will drastically cut the time and costs associated with document searches, providing a more accurate and transparent service for property owners and buyers alike.