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The Gorakhpur Geographical Information System
Vaishali Nandan Society for Planning & Research in Sustainable Management (PRISM) Shahpur, P.O. Gita Vatika, Gorakhpur - 273006 (U.P.), India Tel: 91-0551-283200, 281844, Fax: 91-0551-283200 vnand@vsnl.com
Abstract
Property Mapping is an essential need for all city-governing bodies. The computerization of property records, which was undertaken in the Municipal Corporation of Gorakhpur city in 1988, lacked any form of visual representation of data. This project attempted to adapt the existing computer system of the Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation into a Geographical Information System using Map/Info as a tool. The pilot phase of the study covered two wards that not only represented properties from the higher and lower economic groups of the city but also reflected the major types of land use. In order to avail of the full benefits of the project, a fresh survey had to be conducted in the study area and attempts were even made to reassess the properties. With the help of the maps generated from this project, the properties within the study area have become easily identifiable. This project will also help to minimize the chances of a property remaining un-assessed or being under assessed, by the surveyors and tax inspectors. Subsequently each property owner will now be easily identifiable and therefore accountable for payment of taxes, thus augmenting the coffers of the Municipal Corporation. The Gorakhpur Geographical Information System is a joint venture of the Society for Planning & Research in Sustainable Management (PRISM) and the Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation. Background & Need for the Study The city of Gorakhpur is situated on the left bank of the confluence of Rohini & Rapti rivers, between latitudes 26°42' to 26°47' North and longitudes 83°20' to 83°25' East. The Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation, which is responsible for the provision of basic amenities and city governance, serves an area of 147 sq. km. The Property Records of the Municipal Corporation were computerized in 1988 but there was a total lack of visual representation of data. The only map possessed by the Municipal Corporation depicted ward boundaries for the city. As a consequence the Corporation employees faced innumerable problems when they went on the field or the matter of settling a property dispute arose, forcing them to refer to a Revenue map dating back to 1913. The last blanket assessment of properties within the limits of the Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation was done in 1984. Since then the city has grown to almost twice that size, with a proportionate increase in the number of properties. But many of these properties are unaccounted for, even in the older areas of the city making reassessment of properties an essential need for the accuracy of this study. The last blanket assessment of properties within the limits of the Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation was done in 1984. Since then the city has grown to almost twice that size, with a proportionate increase in the number of properties. But many of these properties are unaccounted for, even in the older areas of the city making reassessment of properties an essential need for the accuracy of this study. The city of Gorakhpur is divided into 60 wards (1991 census) and the Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation for the ease of its functioning has further grouped these wards into 8 circles. The circles and wards can further be sub-divided into 165 Mohallas. The total properties falling under its purview number 67,155, as per the computer records of the Municipal Corporation (on 30-06-2000). The Municipal Corporation has a fully functional computerized billing system and the same was adapted into the project in order to minimize the disturbance which would be caused by devising a new system. According to this, all assessed properties lying within the purview of the Corporation have a record on the computer that has been coded in the form of a 10-digit number. (Refer to Fig. 1) 
Figure 1: Property Numbering as per the Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation The first two digits denote ward numbers, followed by Mohalla numbers and then the individual property numbers have been given. In case of partition of a property, a letter from the English alphabet, for example, 'A' is given for the first partition, 'B' for the second and so on. If the property has not been partitioned, 'a dash' is put in place of the digit. The last digit is a check digit, which is generated automatically by the programe once the detail information about a property is fed into the computer, thus preventing any errors caused by duplication of data. The database of the Municipal Corporation has been created on FoxPro and includes all the information required for the purpose of billing a property, including yearly records of payments and arrears. The bills are issued in the form of computer printouts, thus maintaining a high level of transparency within the system. But this database does not include any information pertaining to assessment of a property and the employees of the Municipal Corporation have to rely on the judgment of the Tax Inspectors and the clerical staff for assessment of properties. The only method of crosschecking this information is either to look up the ledgers or to visit the site, a task that is extremely tedious. Added to this is the problem of property number allocation, which many a times is done by the clerical staff without even visiting the site, making it extremely difficult for the tax inspectors to locate the properties once they go on the field. Some other problems that highlight the need of a Geographical Information System are:
The project is divided into two phases. The pilot phase of the project has been completed and it covered two wards namely, the Civil Lines Wards I & II (ward no. 45 & 48). This area comprised the three Mohallas of Civil Lines, Bilandpur & Kalepur, together housing a total of 1,073 properties, as per the computer records of the Municipal Corporation (on 30-06-2000). (refer to Fig 2). The second phase of the project will aim to cover the entire city.  Figure 2: The Study Area The study area was duly representative of the older and newer parts of the city, the Civil Lines mohalla representing the former and Bilandpur mohalla representative of the latter. While Kalepur, is a mixed set of both the old and the new. Bilandpur Mohalla had a very high percentage of new properties because of its proximity to the city center as well as accessibility to reclaimable low cost land along the National Highway. The Objective The objective of the project was To Organize and Map the Property Tax Structure of the Corporation, using GIS as a tool.
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