Land Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda said that the Bangladesh Digital Survey (BDS) program is gaining momentum in the country.

“BDS map-making through plot-to-plot surveys using satellite, drone, and other fourth-generation technology will commence in selected areas across the country by the end of next month,” he said.

The minister said this while inaugurating the 134th Survey and Settlement Training Course organized by the Land Record and Survey Department (DLRS) at the joint camp adjacent to the Officers Training Institute (UTI) mosque in Savar on Sunday.

Land Secretary Md. Khalilur Rahman was present as a special guest.

The land minister said that through the EDLMS project under BDS, the place selection and setting up pillars of the digital survey control point i.e. PCSM pillar (permanent cadastral survey mark) in Chattogram and Narayanganj City Corporation, Manikganj Municipality, and Dhamrai Upazila is underway.

The minister said control-point selection has been completed in Manikganj and Narayanganj. The selection of places in Chattogram and Dhamrai will end this week. BDS operations will start in Rajshahi and Kushtia next week.

At the end of the program, the land minister said, "I will work to ensure fair rights over people's land." Replying to another question, the minister said, "Digital land zoning map is being prepared through another project, which will make planned use of land including protection of agricultural land, wetlands, hills, and forests."

Land Secretary Md. Khalilur Rahman said to the trainees that this type of joint training is very important to provide proper land services to the citizens. This generates new ideas for service delivery through mutual exchange. The secretary advised everyone to participate in the training with pleasure.

Officials of the Ministry of Land and DLRS were also present at the inauguration ceremony presided over by the Director General of DLRS.

The 51-day course involving 56 officers from the administration and police cadres of Bangladesh Civil Service and Bangladesh Judicial Service is scheduled to end in March.

Once BDS is implemented, automation systems will be introduced, including land survey, and network establishment within land management offices. With the establishment of a link between Mouza-map and record, land owners will be able to easily view records and plots online.

Transparency and accountability in land survey and management will be ensured, which will reduce public suffering and create skilled human resources. Mouza map and khatian will be available online at the same time in the BDS program. Within 15 days, a Khatian will be prepared with a map of automatically created holding.