Pune: VFS Global, in consortium with WE Excel Software Pvt Ltd, has secured a five-year contract to establish 60 model sub-registrar offices (SROs) across Maharashtra. The state registration department awarded the contract for initiatives aimed at digitizing and streamlining property registration, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Project Rollout and Features
The project will be implemented in phases. These centers will feature end-to-end digital infrastructure and a modern service delivery model designed to enhance efficiency, transparency, and citizen experience, according to officials. The model SROs will include fully air-conditioned facilities, WiFi-enabled waiting areas, and digital systems for seamless processing. Trained staff will assist citizens, and additional amenities such as refreshments and water dispensers will be provided.
Addressing Persistent Challenges
State Inspector General of Registration (IGR) Ravindra Binwade stated that the model office concept is a strategic initiative to address persistent bottlenecks in the current property registration system. “Citizens have faced long queues, overcrowded SROs, and a lack of premium ambience for years. The department is establishing 60 dedicated model SROs to tackle these challenges. These facilities will remain under strict government control and be staffed by departmental officials to ensure regulatory integrity, while specifically aiming to reduce crowding in traditional offices,” he explained.
Officials noted that the hybrid model combines government vision with operational efficiency through a specialized agency. The centers will be optional, with existing SROs continuing to function. “These offices will be governed strictly by the department only,” Binwade added.
Governance Reform and Economic Impact
Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Business Development at VFS Global, described the initiative as a key governance reform. “It is a forward-looking vision that reimagines citizen services through technology-enabled transformation. In addition to modernizing property registration, the project will contribute to the local economy by creating employment opportunities and developing skilled service delivery teams. As the government increasingly partners with us across adjacent citizen services—from verification and attestation to education, medical testing, and large citizen service centers—we are committed to building a sustainable, technology-led business that delivers secure, citizen-centric services at scale,” he said.
