NeLIS: System Architecture and Transparency

Abstract

Land Information Systems (LIS) are critical tools for effective land administration, promoting efficiency, tenure security, and strategic urban planning. This paper examines the development and implementation of the Nepal Land Information System (NeLIS) and its public portal, MeroKitta. We detail NeLIS's system, business, and information architectures, which utilize a modified three-tier client-server model to securely separate internal cadastral operations from external citizen services. Transitioning to this centralized architecture required rigorous spatial and attribute data harmonization to resolve topological errors, schema drift, and linguistic variations in legacy decentralized databases. Furthermore, the study highlights how NeLIS enhances functional transparency and accountability. Through real-time transaction tracking, Lead Time Velocity monitoring, automated SMS notifications, and integration with the Revenue Management Information System (RMIS), the system clarifies responsibilities and reduces bottlenecks. Ultimately, this standardized LIS architecture streamlines workflows, secures land records, and empowers citizens with accessible, trustworthy information, laying the groundwork for sustainable land governance.