A BRIEF NOTE ON

RATIONALISATION OF
THE HOUSE NUMBERING
SYSTEM

PROCEDURE ADOPTED IN THE NEW HOUSE NUMBERING

SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION:
Hyderabad is the fifth largest city of India with a population about
40 lakhs as per 2001 censes and it is a capital state of Andhra Pradesh.
About 23% of the state urban population stays in Hyderabad. The city
was founded by fifth king of Qutub Shahi Dynasty Sultan Mohammad
Qulee in the year 1591 on the lines of Isfahan of Iran with four
quadrennial roads converging at the arch way of Charminar. The city
grew along the banks of Musi River with Charminar as its focus.
Subsequently, the city started spreading on the northern banks of the Musi
River which came to be termed as of Hyderabad. The municipal area of
Hyderabad was merged with the municipal area of Secunderabad and a
Municipal Corporation Act was enacted in the year 1955.
The areas around Charminar which are old manifest typical pattern
of development with winding roads, lanes and bye-lanes. While the new
parts of the city which were mainly developed during post independence
era which exhibit different system of development with straight roads,
lanes and by-lanes. Hyderabad is a storehouse of monuments as of now
137 structures and 10 precincts have been declared by the government for
preservation as heritage. It is an heritage city.
The city has excellent accessibility from other cities and other parts
of the state and neighbouring state. Its location is unique as the
metropolitan area forms part of catchment are areas of mighty rivers of
Godavari and Krishna and thus it is endowed with abundant water supply
source from Musi and Manjeera.
Vast stretches of land with hard strata all-round the city make the
city growth easy and encouraging.
Historical monuments, the greeneries, the receptive attitude of the
people and unique distinction of serving the various types of delicacies at
cheaper tariff make the stay memorable in all seasons.

EXISTING HOUSE NUMBERING SYSTEM IN HYDERABAD

Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs have suggested (3)

types of House Numbering Systems in Urban areas.
a)
b)
c)

Ward Block House Number System.

Locality / Ward-Street House Numbering System.
Ward / Block Street House Number System.

Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad has adopted the Ward

Block House Number System. Municipal Corporation covers the twin
cities of Hyderabad & Secunderabad consisting 1 to 23 wards of
Hyderabad, I to XII wards of Secunderabad. Each ward is divided into
blocks. There are 162 blocks in case of Hyderabad and 74 blocks in case
of Secunderabad. This resulted in 3 digit system of House Numbering in
MCH limits, and the same is being followed since 1951.The same has
been followed in surrounding area also.
Section 418 of HMC Act 1955, makes it mandatory for MCH to
allot House numbers and Street Nos. and gives the power to name any
street or road. Public cannot take liberties to adopt names and numbers
for streets and houses.
In the ward and block house numbering, the house numbers are to
be given in a continuous series in each block in the clock wise direction
starting from one corner, covering all the properties in the block. This job
is attended by lower level functionaries of tax section and hence there is
no uniformity in the system.
House numbers are assigned only as and when the property is
assessed to house tax, and hence the house numbers are not in a
continuous series. Block boundaries are not easily identifiable on
ground. The blocks do not constitute a well known area of locality and
one finds it difficult to locate a block and follow the direction in which
the houses are numbered. In absence of direction over a geographical
area, normally sequence is not maintained when house come into
existence in between the existing numbers, sub nos. and bye-numbers are
given.
Every property in form of land and building needs to have a
number essentially as much as every person needs a name. All the
properties are to be assessed, numbered and tax has to be collected if not
exempted.
Absence of a clear system in assigning number to every property
and getting it displayed is causing greater confusion and inconvenience to
the public as well as user departments, like Civil supplies, Police, Post,

Telecom, Water supply and Sewerage Board, APSEB, Census etc. Since
many numbers found at the localities are not those assigned by MCH, the
confusion is further increased.
HOUSE NUMBERING IN OTHER CITIES:I.

AHMEDABAD:-

In case of Ahmedabad the city is divided into 86 wards and every

ward into survey nos. This is done by the City Survey Department
located in the Collectors Office. Survey no is the house number in the
old areas. In the new colonies plot nos. are given in each survey nos. and
these are ultimate house numbers. In the multistoried building, house
numbering is given to flats in a continuous serial orders in all the floors.
Vacant plots are all identified by survey numbers and the house plan is
first submitted to survey department which identifies the land and gives
the house number, with reference to the survey nos. then it is submitted to
corporation for final sanction. Each ward contains about 7,000 survey
nos. on an average and there were about 5 lakh assessments in the city by
1981. Boards are erected in the streets indicating the name of street.
Each ward is having separate locality name and is identified by that
name.
II. Chennai (Madras):The house numbering system in madras city is based on electoral
division. Streets and house numbers in each street are given separately.
The madras city is divided into 150 divisions for the Election of
Municipal Councilors. Each division is divided into streets and lanes.
House numbers are given in separate serial in each street and lane.
All the divisions are numbered. A street is an important unit in the city
which is specifically named and numbered.
On Mount Road which is now known as Anna Salai there were
150 house numbers which were changed to 500 in 1978. Important
streets passing across more than one division are given only one serial of
house numbers. The street numbers for such streets is also the same in all
divisions. In case of vacant lands, each piece of land owned by an
individual was given a house number and letter L is added.

III. MUMBAI (BOMBAY):In Bombay now there is no continues numbering of houses.It was
done in 1930s.The numbers was street wise The streets known by names
minor streets were designated cross roads.
Presently, the postal pin code and the division of the cities of
greater Bombay into administrative wards A to R are the basic units. The
administrative wards are used by the property assessment department to
given identify numbers to properties. The numbers is useful only to this
department. So there is no continuity on the filed and with their numbers
none can identify any house. But Bombay consists of a number of
Schemes, like T.P. Scheme, T.V., Bandra etc. there, in each road and
each plot is numbered. So the plots and buildings are traceable. The pin
code supplements further identify.
It is proposed to divide the whole city into number circles and give
a circles an identify as A.B. of C1,C2,C3. A number is given to each
street, in addition to the name if any. All the plots whether built or vacant
are numbered. If more buildings come up a sub-number will be given
e.g. Plot.No:20, block 20(1), 20(2) and in multistoried building each flat
will carry a sub-number.
In the new scheme, numbered enamel plate had to be compulsorily
affixed and recovery of the cost was to be made from the house owners.
The corporation would bear the cost of placing the street number boards.

BRIEF HISTORY AND STATUS REPORT ON

RATIONALISATION OF HOUSE NUMBERING SYSTEM OF
HYDERABAD (AS ON 30.7.2005)
Three digit house numbering system i.e. Ward-Block-House Number is in
vogue in MCH since 1951. There are 35 wards and 236 blocks in MCH
area.
Genesis of New House Numbering System:
In 1977 the government have suggested that the house
numbering system has to be replaced with the locality and House number
as 20 Malakpet instead of 16-11-2000 to facilitate the public as the
present system is identification of houses has become very difficult.
Accordingly the MCH decided to adopt the new system gradually, since
there would be considerable difficulty if taken up by affecting any little
change in this existing system. Accordingly the Dy. Commissioners of
Circle 1 to 6 and Secunderabad division were asked to take up the work
of naming streets, etc through their Executive Engineers. But this did not
happen.
Later on during 1981 it was proposed to take up the revision of
house numbering in quadrennial revision of tax in Circle 2. Even this did
not materialize.
The government decided to post a Dy. Director of Bureau of
Economics and Statistics department to exclusively undertake housenumbering system in MCH with the following objectives:
In order to begin the work in a small area of MCH, a general
notification was issued in the newspaper about the new proposals and the
suggestions were called for from the public, for which, there was no
response.
Later on two areas, one each in Hyderabad division and
Secunderabad division has been taken up and notional maps were
prepared. It was decided to continue the existing system but by removing
the sub numbers, which are given in large numbers. It was also decided
to prepare a house list showing the old and the corresponding new
number allotted. Even this EXERCISE also did not continue further.
A Special Cell was created during November 1993 for
Rationalization of House Numbering System in MCH. Initially two pilot
areas, Viz. West Marredpally and Gagan Mahal localities have been taken
up and subsequently the entire city was covered and the locality maps
along with correlation statements were completed pending allotment of

by numbers to the units in the apartments, commercial complexes and

slums. The signboards (premises) house number plates were also fixed.
As the by-numbers to the units with in premises were not allotted
these new premises numbers could not come into practice as envisaged.
NEW SYSTEM OF HOUSE NUMBERING:
Rationalization of house numbering for urban information /
administration:
Administration, Planning, information are inseparable entities in any
progressive system like urban management. Urban information system aims at
rationalization.
The entire urban information revolves around socio-economics activities
of the community. In order to generate proper information system, the sequence
of numbering if these physical developments like building and lands under
various uses in the space is of great importance. Indicating their relative
positions and magnitude in the geographical plan form is of utmost importance.
Safety and security of the community directly depends on how well the
things are arranged and organized in the space and information system is
maintained to help in day to day administration, in short and long term
planning.
Effective information system leads to accountability and transparency in
community life and management. The urban administration can be made
simpler through an efficient urban information system. Many ills in the urban
scenario can be remedied.
Hence numbering in rational and scientific form provides the base for
efficient administration.
Proper house numbering could provide for efficient socio-economic
linkage between urban and rural.
In the new system of house numbering the entire city comprising of 35
wards has been delineated into (i) 254 localities and (ii) 134 main roads.
Premises are numbered in Localities and along Main Roads separately as a
continuous series.

1. Delineation of localities:
Localities are delineated in each ward, with the following parameters:
The locality is viable in terms of area and population and has distinct
boundaries.
The name of the area prominent with reference to Name of the
Colony, Revenue Village, Post Office, MCH Council ward etc is
assigned to locality and a code number is allotted.
The Area is delineated with reference to ward boundary; broad
Network of roads and Physical Boundaries like Watercourses, Drains,
Railway Lines etc.
While delineating the locality area smaller localities, colonies, slums
that are locally known with reference to prominent locality name are
included with the locality and comprehensive area is delineated.
2. Delineation of Main Roads (Localities):

Certain areas are known with reference to roads, areas which abut
main roads are delineated and given separate number. These areas may
form part of two or more localities, since there are different localities
on either side of the main roads.
Main Roads have also been allotted unique code for easy
identification and for further applications if any.
3. Assignment of House Numbers:
Each premise is assigned with one number.
Vacant sites are also assigned with numbers. Depending upon the size
of the vacant sire or land the numbers are reserved and the series is
continued.
Each Apartment / Commercial Complex is assigned with one general
number. Each flat/ shop unit is assigned with by numbers within the
main building.
Slums which would normally have number of temporary and small
structures, prone for changes in their size and pattern are also given

numbers as many of the slums have been covered by improvement

schemes and individual houses were constructed.
Normally numbering in a locality starts from the corner nearer to the
city centre which is assembly hall in the present instant.
The street, which is nearer to the city centre, will be numbered as
street number one. Any number in a locality can be located even
without a street number, since the premises are numbered in a single
continuous series.
Similarly numbering on a main road will be done from one end of the
road to the other end and the series are continued on the other side till
the starting end. A locality may abut main road/ roads where there will
be separate series of numbers.
House to house survey has to be conducted and the correlation
statements showing the old and new house numbers, name of the
owner, no. of floors, usage of the building etc are to be collected.
Based on the filed survey locality maps are prepared duly showing the
old and new numbers, streets, main roads, premises numbers, street
wise house numbering statement statements etc.
3.1

For Preparation Of Locality Plans:

The font for numbers remains unchanged irrespective of composition
of digits.
The door number is shown within circle.
The size of the circle increase according to the number of digits for a
door number i.e., the size of circle for door number 1, 12, 123, &1234
vary as follows:

1
2

12
3

123
4

The number series progression is denoted by an arrow for benefit of

easy reference.
7

The numbers are indicated for the plot / building with the reference to
the entrance.

 In respect of important buildings like heritage buildings, government

buildings & municipal buildings the number is indicated with bold circle
as follows:
1
2

In case if slum areas or areas with small property/ properties extent it

is enlarged separately to a scale for benefit of easy reference.
3.2

Attribute Data Linking

Following items are attached as attribute to the new number:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
11)

Old existing number.

Type of area(slum area)
Name of the owner / Occupier.
Type of structure.
Height.
Number of floors.
Approximately Age of building
Usage
Name of the establishment
Total no. of units
Status (Whether it is open plot/ existing building / under
construction).
12) Open Plot / existing building without number.
13) Any other information.
The premises, which derive entrance from the main road, is assigned
number with reference to main road. This includes the dead end roads
going inside from the main roads.
The door numbers for the structures in the locality are allotted with
reference to the street, which in turn is also allotted number in the
locality.
4. METHOD OF ALLOTMENT OF NUMBERS:
The door numbers are allotted as series of arithmetic progressions with
reference to the street / main road starting from left hand side in order to
facilitate easy location of address. In case of a premises consisting of
more than one building they will be numbered as blocks in the premises.
Similarly, in respect of premises comprising of a building with more than
one floor having more than one unit in a floor it will be numbered as 100
for first floor, 200 as second floor and 300 for third floor etc., with 101.,

102, ., 301, 302,.., etc., as door numbered for the units in each
floor, where as for the ground floor the units will be numbered as 1, 2, 3,
& 4 prefixed by main premises number.
Thus, a building in premises no. 40 having ground, first, second
and third floor with 10 flats in each floor will be numbered as follows:
Premises no. 40.
Ground Floor Flat No. 40 /1, Ground floor flat no.40/2, etc
First Floor Flat No. 40/101, First floor flat no.40/102, etc.
Second Floor Flat No. 40/201, Second floor flat no.40/202 etc.
If there are more than one such building in the premises it will be
numbered as block A, block B, block C etc.
The cellar and sub-cellar are not permissible as per building byelaws and zoning regulations under HMC Act 1955 for habitation or for
carrying out any activity except for parking of vehicles, generator room,
transformer, watchman room and other utilities. Hence, the numbering of
these areas has not been considered.

5. NUMBERING OF STREETS, MAIN ROADS (ARTERIAL

ROADS, STATE HIGHWAYS, NATIONAL HIGHWAYS, MASTER
PLAN ROADS LIKE INNER & OUTER RING ROADS ETC)
Streets:
A Street is a circulation space providing access to individual
premises from the main road of the locality. The physical definition for a
street will vary from one place to the other within the municipal area. A
road having a minimum width of 10ft. up to 40 ft. is termed as street.
Streets will be numbered in progression starting from the main
access road of the locality which connects it to the city centre. The city
centre in this case is assumed to be assembly hall building, which
coincides with the zero kilometer reference of R & B department.
The numbering of streets will be done taking into consideration the
permissible direction of movement of vehicles on the road i.e., keeping
left.
Main Roads.
The main roads form boundary of the locality. They provide access
to the locality from the city centre and other parts of the city. Main roads
may be of different types like sub arterial of more than 60-0, arterial
road of more than 60ft. width, inner ring road of width 100ft. and above,
a state high way 100 ft. and above, a national highway of 150 ft. and
above, an inner ring road of master plan of width 150ft and above.
Like streets/ main roads in addition to giving access to locality also
give access to establishments located on their either side which are
mainly referred to by the main road, even though they fall within a
particular locality. Hence, keeping this aspect in view, the establishments
which derive access from the main road become the part of locality of the
main road and they are numbered with reference to the main road
irrespective of the locality in which they are located. This will provide
better address to the establishment.

6. CODING:
The items which will be referred for giving address are a locality,
street, main road, premises number and a bye-number (if there are units
within individual premises). Coding of these will help in easy reference
and use in day to day administration.
1
2

2
3

3
4

4
1

Locality code

5
3

6
4

7
2

8
5

9
0

10
0

11 12 13 14
9 0 0 0

Main road/ street Premises Number By number for a unit

a. Locality Code:
For example there are in all 254 localities in twin cities identified in
the municipal area for rationalization of door numbering system. They have
been coded starting with Kavadiguda locality of ward 1 of Secunderabad
as 001 with ward no. as 01, thus in Kavadiguda code First two digits
represent ward no. followed by three digits for locality
01 001
b. Main Road Code:
There are 134 main roads identified in the municipal area. They have
been coded according to the category they belong like:
1
2
3
4
5
6

National Highway
State Highway
Inner Ring Road
Outer Ring Road
Arterial Road
Sub Arterial

700,900
200,300,400 & 500
100
1
600,800,1000
1200

Each category of road is split into reaches, which derive their code from
the category code like Ring Road 100,for Ex: 1st stretch from Phisal Banda
to Chandriangutta X roads will be 101. Similarly 2nd stretch from
Chandriangutta to Bandal guda main road will be 102 so on.
c) Colour Code
(i)

Street Code:

The streets are coded with reference to Six columns selected from the
colour disc for use in the locality boards for display at the street entrance

/exit, in order to facilitate easy depiction of numbers associated with

particular street.
If there are say 21 streets in the locality the red colour will be used
for street No.1,7,13 & 19 etc., while yellow will be used for street No.
2,8,14 & 20 etc., like wise for other four colour
(ii)

Heritage/ Government / Municipal Building

Colour codes for these category of building is red in the plan .

(iii) House Number plates:
Blue colour for background with fonts in white of caste iron in
rectangular shape is used. For Heritage/ Government / Municipal Building
brass material of circular shape number plates are used. For main road and
streets green background with white font boards are used

DIRECTOR
HOUSE NUMBERIN CELL
GHMC