Tech-Enabled Transparency: A New Era for Land Acquisition and Resettlement

Starting from the evolution of the systems of land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement, this Article then dwells upon how the PNA Act of 2013 has transformed the said processes and the role technology can play in making them efficient, fair and transparent. After drawing a broad outline of the current scenario of land acquisition in India, this Article specifically looks at the use, role, potential and challenges the applications of Geographic Information Systems, blockchain, smart mobile applications, etc, can play in refining the process of land acquisition. The Article further discusses the major hurdles that need to be overcome/considered in this regard: the digital divide, apprehension regarding the data security and the need incumbent upon the legislature to amend the existing statutes to incorporate the technological solutions. The Article concludes with providing recommendations for policy reforms in the form of revising and amending the PNA Act of 2013 by extending provisions to encourage the use of these technologies, enacting specific statutes pertaining to technology and land acquisition, initiatives for digital literacy in rural masses in particular and spreading awareness in general and public-private partnerships for developing technological solutions.