Navi Mumbai has become the first municipal corporation in India to introduce property identity cards, a move officials say will simplify property transactions, boost transparency in tax collection, and save citizens time and money, as reported by The Economic Times.
Municipal Commissioner Kailas Shinde launched the initiative at a civic function by handing the first set of cards to five property holders. The program is expected to benefit more than 350,000 property owners across the city.
According to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), the Property Identity Card will serve as a single reference document that includes the property number, address, area and tax details. Officials compared it to widely used identification such as a PAN card.
The card also allows citizens to check property tax arrears and advance tax amounts. Owners can make payments directly at civic utility centers by presenting the card. For digital payments, each card carries a QR code that links to the city’s online system, enabling immediate payment of dues.
Shinde said the new system would streamline property sales and transfers, cutting down the effort, time and cost of repeatedly visiting the property tax department. The card may also serve as an official property identity, similar to how Aadhaar is used for personal identification.
The launch follows a citywide survey that gathered and verified ownership details before preparing the cards. Self-help groups were engaged to go door to door, collecting data and distributing property tax bills at the same time.
Navi Mumbai, often described as a city of educated and tech-savvy residents, has focused on expanding digital services. Shinde said the property identity card program marks a major step in the civic body’s push for maximum digitalization.
“Being the first municipal corporation in the country to provide Property Identity Cards to its citizens is another feather in the cap of Navi Mumbai,” Shinde said.