Hyderabad: As a prelude to implementing the Bhu Bharati Act, which envisions a comprehensive land survey across Telangana, the state govt has initiated steps to survey 413 villages that currently lack proper village maps and sethwars, the foundational land record documents.Remarkably, several villages, such as Laxmapur in Mudu Chintalapally of Medchal Malkajgiri district, have no formal land records or village maps. In some cases, multiple maps exist for a single village, leaving officials uncertain about their authenticity. Sethwars are detailed records that provide information about each survey number, including land area, ownership, and other critical data. They form the backbone of land administration.To streamline and modernise land records, revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy recently announced a pilot land survey in five selected villages: Salarnagar in Gandeed mandal, Mahbubnagar district, Kommanapally in Bheerpur mandal, Jagtial district, Mulugumada in Errupalem mandal, Khammam district, Nooguru in Venkatapuram mandal in Mulugu district and Shahidnagar in Vatpally mandal, Sangareddy district.“Based on the outcome of the pilot survey, the remaining 413 villages will be taken up in phases,” the minister said. He added that the initiative will eventually be extended to the entire state, aiming for a complete overhaul of land mapping and records.To ensure accuracy and transparency, the govt will adopt a dual methodology—aerial (drone-based) surveys and ground truthing techniques. The data collected will be used to prepare geo-referenced cadastral maps, alongside updated land ownership records, sources said.The govt has roped in survey and geospatial firms like RV Associates, Marvel Geo Spatial Solutions Pvt Ltd, IIC Technologies, NeoGeo, and Drogo Drones to carry out the project.Revenue department officials said that the pilot survey will be completed within the next two to three months. Following its evaluation, the state will finalise a policy for the full-scale survey and select the most appropriate technologies for widespread implementation.Given the scale of the project, estimated to cost hundreds of crores, the govt also plans to explore financial assistance under various state and central schemes, sources said.