Delhi to modernise sub-registrar offices, engage private players

New Delhi: Delhi govt is going to modernise all sub-registrar offices in the capital on the lines of ‘Passport Seva Kendras’ with an aim to make property registration transparent, technology-driven and citizen-friendly. The govt will engage private companies in setting up and operating premium service centres.

“We want to create one of the most advanced property registration systems in the country under this initiative. The aim is to transform the way these offices function so that citizens registering property no longer have to deal with delays, corruption, middlemen or unnecessary hassles,” chief minister Rekha Gupta said in a meeting on Saturday.

The chief minister’s office said that the CM has directed officials to redesign the functioning of sub-registrar offices so that an advanced property registration system is created by combining digital infrastructure, streamlined processes and tighter monitoring mechanisms.

Delhi’s registrar offices, which function under the revenue department, are visited by hundreds of people every day for registration of a wide range of property and legal documents, including sale deeds, conveyance deeds, gift deeds, lease and rent agreements, mortgage deeds, partition deeds, relinquishment deeds, wills, power of attorney documents, partnership deeds and trust deeds.

Officials said the chief minister recently held a review meeting with senior officers and technology firms to explore models adopted in other states for improving citizen services. Several companies made presentations on digital workflows, automated verification systems and service delivery models designed to reduce delays and improve transparency in govt offices.

After the revamp, the registrar offices are expected to provide a professional service experience similar to Passport Seva Kendras, with facilities such as air-conditioned waiting lounges, digital help desks, token management systems, real-time application tracking, drinking water facilities and trained support staff.

Online appointment systems, pre-verification of documents and live tracking of applications are being planned to cut waiting time and reduce crowding at offices.

The CMO said that the govt is also planning to introduce advanced verification and security systems, including AI-powered facial recognition for identity checks, digital record management and blockchain-backed data protection to make property records more secure and tamper-resistant. Technologies such as geo-fencing and integrated digital databases are also being considered to reduce fraudulent transactions and disputes related to ownership records.