Chennai Corporation Cracks Down on Low-Tax Commercial Properties Using Drone Data and AI Mapping
In a major move to improve tax compliance and raise revenue, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has begun a focused effort to identify commercial properties that are under-assessed in terms of property tax. Officials said the civic body is using data analytics to find properties with large built-up areas but surprisingly low tax assessments.
A senior official of the Corporation said, “We are issuing notices for reassessment in cases where the property tax does not reflect the commercial nature or the size of the building.” This verification is part of a broader “data purification” drive that the Corporation has undertaken in recent months.
According to estimates, this exercise is expected to bring in an additional ₹80 crore in property tax every half-year.
To strengthen the effort, the GCC is collaborating with other agencies, including Tangedco and the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, to detect unregistered and under-assessed properties. These data mapping exercises aim to plug revenue leakages and ensure more accurate property tax assessments.
The drive is already showing results. Officials revealed that an arrear demand of ₹50 crore has been raised through data matching and field verification so far.
Additionally, the GCC is using modern tools such as drone mapping and satellite imagery through its GIS (Geographic Information System) project. This enables the civic body to identify properties that have expanded but are not reflected in official records. The GIS initiative alone has helped generate an extra ₹65 crore in tax demand per half year.
Property tax collections are also showing improvement. As of July 6, 2025, a total of 6.82 lakh out of 13.84 lakh property owners have paid their dues, marking a 14% growth in collections compared to the same period last year. Tax revenue has increased from ₹577 crore in 2024 to ₹658 crore in the same period this year.
Importantly, the Corporation clarified that residential properties in all of Chennai’s 15 zones will not be affected by this reassessment exercise.
Final Thoughts by TheTrendingPeople.com
Chennai’s efforts to modernize property tax assessment through technology and inter-agency cooperation mark a significant step towards better governance and financial accountability. While ensuring that commercial property owners pay their fair share, the move protects residential owners from unnecessary burden. Transparency, fairness, and efficient tax collection will be key to ensuring the city’s infrastructure and public services are sustainably funded.