Enhancing fraud prevention and detection in property tax
Data-driven transparency strengthens citizen trust
AI-Powered efficiency in urban governance
MCGM achieved this using • SAS®Detection and Investigation for Government • SAS® Enterprise Guide® • SAS® Visual Analytics and SAS® Visual Statistics on SAS® Viya®
Transforming Urban Governance with Data and Analytics: How MCGM Optimized Property Tax Efficiency with SAS
In one of India’s most dynamic cities, where infrastructure and urban services operate at an unparalleled scale, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) took a strategic step toward enhancing its property tax system, an essential revenue stream for public welfare. Partnering with SAS, MCGM implemented a Property Tax Intelligence System (PTIS) that helped streamline operations, improve revenue collections, and strengthen trust among residents.
Complex Needs in a Growing City
Over the years, Mumbai’s rapid development has significantly increased the complexity of administering property tax, especially with the adoption of the capital value-based system in 2010–11. While more dynamic and fair than the earlier rateable value approach, the system led to revenue collections plateauing because of the introduction of a wide array of data points and dependencies, such as carpet area, construction type, age, usage, and location. MCGM recognized an opportunity to modernize its approach by turning to data-driven solutions that could manage and analyze vast, complex datasets with greater speed and accuracy.
Building the Property Tax Intelligence System (PTIS) Powered by SAS
In collaboration with SAS and Vidarbha Infotech Private Limited (VIPL) as the System Integrator, MCGM launched the Property Tax Intelligence System, a comprehensive analytics platform designed to enhance every stage of the property tax lifecycle. The solution introduced a suite of capabilities, including:
- Data Collection and Profiling: Integrating and cleaning data from multiple sources to create reliable property profiles.
- Predictive Modelling and Forecasting: Using advanced analytics to anticipate trends and set intelligent recovery targets.
- Risk Scoring and Ward Performance: Assigning risk scores to properties and performance scores to wards to prioritize actions.
- Real-Time Dashboards and Alerts: Automating reports, anomaly detection, and investigation workflows for operational clarity.
- Segmentation and Compliance Monitoring: Categorizing properties based on legal frameworks and usage types to enhance oversight.
The primary goal of the Property Tax Intelligence System project was to leverage advanced analytics to increase property tax revenue while ensuring transparency and fairness in the process. P. Velrasu, IAS Addl. Municipal Commissioner MCGM
“This system helped us in increasing revenues and also enabled ward officers to take informed decisions. We have completely automated manual operations using this system,” added Mr. Velrasu. “By leveraging technology, data-driven insights and automation, we have achieved a more equitable and efficient property tax system that benefits both the municipality and its residents.”
The PTIS also introduced outlier analysis and complex calculations at ward levels, supporting everything from collections benchmarking to trend comparison against historical data. This empowered MCGM to formulate forward-looking strategies while responding quickly to anomalies.
Return on Investment (RoI)
The SAS platform enabled MCGM to automate manual processes, identify discrepancies, and apply intelligent insights, allowing for faster and more informed decision-making. Since its implementation with an investment of Rs. 74 Cr, the PTIS has yielded significant benefits, resulting in a notional increment of more than Rs. 1767 Cr over four years.
By embedding analytics at the heart of municipal operations, MCGM has set a benchmark for digital governance. SAS is proud to support MCGM’s vision of delivering smarter, faster, and more transparent public services that benefit citizens. Noshin Kagalwalla VP & MD SAS India
MCGM – Facts & Figures
Rank 1
India's richest municipal corporation
1890
Year founded
2 Million
Population served by MCGM
Looking Ahead
The success of PTIS signals a broader shift in how public sector organizations can leverage data to drive better outcomes. With its strong foundation in place, MCGM is now positioned to further innovate with analytics.
Through a shared commitment to data-driven governance, MCGM and SAS are shaping a future where public institutions are as agile and intelligent as the cities they serve.
