Kerala High Court presses state to form task force for Idukki digital land survey

The Kerala High Court has told the state government to hurry the creation of a special task force (STF) that would supervise inquiries and the digital survey of contested land in Idukki district, including Munnar. Justices Devan Ramachandran and Basant Balaji were hearing petitions seeking eviction of illegal encroachments.

The state had been asked to name officers available to the STF for at least six months by 29 October, but asked for another week. The court agreed, noting that the special investigation team and the survey can only be coordinated once the STF exists.

The amicus curiae said the survey team is marking boundaries from satellite coordinates, based on claims by occupants. Petitioners argued claims need verification and no new title deeds should be issued meanwhile. Both teams may continue but must eventually follow STF protocols, and a village officer or authorised person must join future survey work. The matter was adjourned to 5 November.

Why it matters: The case shows the risk of recording boundaries from occupants' claims without verification in a digital cadastral survey. It highlights the need for clear protocols and local officials in the field, which matters for land-survey projects anywhere.