Indian Town Adopts Avalanche Blockchain for Secure Land Records

The Blockchain Initiative in Dantewada

In a groundbreaking move, the district of Dantewada has shifted over seven lakh (700,000) land records onto the Avalanche blockchain. This initiative is a part of the district’s broader efforts to modernize its land record system, making the records indestructible and easily verifiable by both administrative divisions and residents.

The collaboration between the Dantewada district administration and Zupple Labs from Bengaluru marks a significant step towards integrating blockchain into local government operations. Zupple Labs presented the details of the development project to Gadgets 360 on March 6, 2025, highlighting how this adoption of blockchain technology is transforming land administration in the region.

The Role of IAS Officer Jayant Nahata

During his tenure as the chief of Dantewada Zila Panchayat, IAS officer Jayant Nahata played a key role in recognizing the inefficiencies in the district’s land transaction processes. These inefficiencies were primarily caused by the use of paper records, which led to long processing times and inconsistencies in documentation.

By introducing blockchain technology, Nahata aimed to streamline land record management, reduce costs, and ensure data security for residents. This initiative addresses the urgent need for a more secure and efficient way of managing land records, with the goal of providing easy access for citizens and eliminating outdated paper-based systems.

Key Features of the Blockchain Land Record System

The blockchain solution implemented in Dantewada offers several key benefits, making it a breakthrough in land record management:

• Indestructible Records: By moving land records onto the Avalanche blockchain, the system ensures that the records are tamper-proof and cannot be altered or lost.
• Improved Efficiency: The digital format allows for faster processing of land transactions and approvals, eliminating the delays associated with paper documentation.
• Easy Access for Citizens: The introduction of dedicated kiosks in all tehsils (administrative divisions) allows residents to quickly retrieve their necessary documents without waiting for long periods.
• Cost Reduction: The use of blockchain reduces administrative costs by eliminating the need for physical document handling and storage.

With these features, the blockchain-based system not only enhances document security but also simplifies the process for residents to access and verify their land ownership records.

Integration with National Blockchain Strategy

This initiative aligns with India’s National Blockchain Strategy, which was developed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in collaboration with NITI Aayog. By adopting blockchain for land record storage, Dantewada is contributing to the broader national goal of increasing transparency and promoting secure digital governance.

Neil Martis, the CEO of Zupple Labs, emphasized that the combination of blockchain’s transparency and secure land ownership records will help reduce land-related conflicts. It will also ensure more fair and equitable land governance, benefiting both residents and local authorities.

LegitDoc Application and Future Outlook

As part of the project, Zupple Labs provided Dantewada with the LegitDoc application, which allows tehsil administrative staff to verify digital land records easily. This application supports the district’s goal of digitizing land transactions and offering transparent, secure services to residents.

The project also plans to introduce more kiosks across the tehsils, enabling local residents to access and verify their land records at their convenience. These measures will contribute to the overall digitization of the administrative process, making it more transparent, secure, and efficient for everyone involved.

Conclusion

Dantewada’s adoption of blockchain technology for land record storage is a pioneering effort that showcases how even small towns can take the lead in embracing smart technologies. With the integration of Avalanche blockchain, the district is setting a new standard for land administration and governance, reducing costs, improving transparency, and providing residents with better access to their records.

This blockchain initiative not only aligns with India’s national goals for digital governance but also serves as an example for other regions to follow. As more districts recognize the potential of blockchain, we may see a broader shift towards smart city innovation across the country.