Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 16: The national capital has commenced the first phase of the Census on Thursday, marking the start of an extensive data-gathering exercise that will guide policy planning and governance for the next decade.
This initial stage, known as the House Listing and Housing Census, focuses on documenting buildings, households, and living conditions across New Delhi. Unlike the population enumeration phase, it aims to map every structure and residence rather than count individuals.
Enumerators will conduct door-to-door visits, collecting information through a structured set of 33 questions. These cover key aspects such as housing conditions, access to basic amenities, ownership status, and details of the head of the household, including name and gender.
In a shift towards modernization, officials have confirmed that the entire exercise will be carried out digitally. Field workers will use a dedicated mobile application to record responses, improving efficiency, speed, and accuracy.
The first phase will be executed in two 30-day cycles. From April 16 to May 15, the survey will be conducted in areas governed by the New Delhi Municipal Council and Delhi Cantonment Board. This will be followed by coverage in regions under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi from May 16 to June 15.
Authorities have divided the city into multiple enumeration blocks to ensure systematic coverage, including densely populated neighborhoods, unauthorized colonies, and slum clusters. Special attention has been given to high-density and high-migration areas to avoid gaps in data collection.
Enumerators have undergone prior training and have been assigned specific areas to ensure smooth execution. While most data will be collected through in-person visits, residents will also have the option to participate via self-enumeration using an official online platform.
Officials emphasized that all collected data will remain strictly confidential and will be used solely for statistical and administrative purposes. The second phase of the Census, which involves counting individuals, will be carried out later as part of the nationwide schedule.