The Telangana government is set to implement a new system where all buildings in Hyderabad will be assigned QR codes that store comprehensive details of civic permissions. This initiative is part of a centralized, GIS-driven monitoring and data management platform aimed at strengthening urban governance across the state. The project will initially be launched in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area before expanding to Cyberabad and Malkajgiri municipal corporations, according to an official from the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) department.
Under this ambitious project, QR codes will be issued for 30 lakh properties across all buildings in the post-merger GHMC jurisdiction. The QR code will serve as a digital vault containing essential information including building permit details, property tax records, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board’s Consumer Account Number, and Telangana Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) connection numbers. This consolidated approach aims to streamline access to multiple civic services through a single scanning point.
A GHMC official revealed that the system will integrate a module allowing residents to pay property tax directly by scanning the QR code. The technology will also enable citizens to report grievances and access various municipal services without visiting government offices. The post-merger GHMC area, which now spans 2,053 square kilometers, includes 23 lakh houses in the original 650 square kilometer jurisdiction, with the total number of buildings reaching 30 lakh after the merger of 27 urban local bodies.
The new system is expected to significantly enhance municipal services while reducing the need for physical inspections. Officials stated that once the QR code system is operational, bill collectors will no longer need to visit properties to physically measure plinth areas and upload data. Instead, property owners will be responsible for uploading accurate details of their buildings through the digital platform, making the process more efficient and transparent.
To ensure compliance and prevent fraud, the system includes strict penalties for property owners who provide false information or underassess their property tax. GHMC officials have warned that anyone found uploading fraudulent details will face penalties that are a multiple of the tax owed. The consequences for non-payment of these penalties could be severe, potentially resulting in the seizure of the property. This measure is designed to maintain the integrity of the system and ensure accurate property tax collection.
The QR code initiative is expected to add substantially to the municipal corporation’s revenue while simultaneously improving service delivery to residents. The centralized system will eliminate redundancies in data collection and provide real-time access to property information for both citizens and government officials. A GHMC official emphasized that property owners must upload accurate details, as the responsibility for data accuracy now rests with them rather than municipal staff conducting physical surveys.
