Residents, leaders seek clarity as Salcete villages are included in urban survey; suspicions raised over urban expansion plans
File photo of Margao city.
MARGAO
The Goa government’s decision to undertake a 3D-based land survey in Panaji, Margao and Cuncolim, along with surrounding villages, has sparked a host of questions and apprehensions, particularly in the Salcete countryside, over the true objective of the exercise.
The survey, initiated by the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records (DSLR), is being carried out as part of the Centre’s NAK-SHA (National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations) scheme, aimed at modernising land records using advanced geospatial technology. However, residents and political leaders are questioning why only three towns and select neighbouring villages have been included, while other municipal areas such as Mormugao, Mapusa, Ponda, Quepem, Sanquelim and Canacona have been left out.
The inclusion of villages in Salcete — such as Nuvem, Navelim, Aquem, Davorlim and Raia, along with the fishing village of Ambelim — has raised suspicions over whether the survey is purely technical in nature or part of a broader plan to alter planning jurisdictions or pave the way for future urban expansion.
Concerns intensified after a public notice issued by the DSLR went viral on social media. The notice informed all house owners in the notified villages, towns and cities that they must be present on dates to be fixed by the survey officer for measurement of houses and properties, and that they should provide all necessary information to enable accurate measurement.
Congress leader Everson Vales has questioned the government’s intent behind initiating the survey as part of what he termed a “pilot project” of the Central government.
“If the survey is being conducted under the Goa (National Geospatial Knowledge-based) Land Survey of Urban Habitations Rules, 2025, how come villages like Nuvem, Raia, Navelim, Aquem and Davorlim are included?” Vales asked.
He said the government must first clarify the avowed objective of the survey before surveyors begin work on the ground. “I come from Nuvem village. In the past, there were attempts to include Nuvem in the South Goa Planning and Development Area. There was also a proposal to merge villages surrounding Margao into the commercial capital. Let the government explain what purpose will be served by conducting the survey only in three municipal areas and a few surrounding villages,” Vales asserted.
Echoing similar concerns, Joseph Vaz, convenor of the Navelim Civic and Consumer Forum, expressed shock over the inclusion of Navelim in what is being projected as an urban land survey.
“We are shocked and surprised to learn that Navelim village has been included in the proposed survey. Villagers have no idea about the survey or the purpose it is meant to serve,” Vaz said.
He added that the gram sabha of the Navelim village panchayat is scheduled for Sunday, and demanded that officials from the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records attend the meeting to explain the objective of the survey. “If the survey is primarily meant for urban areas such as Panaji, Margao and Cuncolim, why has Navelim been included?” Vaz asked.
As uncertainty continues to prevail, residents and civil society groups in Salcete are demanding transparency from the government, fearing that the survey could be a precursor to changes in planning status, inclusion in Planning and Development Areas, or even a future merger into a larger Margao Municipal Council.
Former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes, who hails from Cuncolim, said Cuncolim is facing a host of land issues. “As it is Cuncolim is urban only on paper, it has more rural characteristics than urban. Besides, Cuncolim is facing a host of land issues because of historical factors. I do not know the purpose of the land survey. I took up the matter with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, and he replied that it is a survey carried out under the Central government pilot project,” he said.
Additional land survey raises eyebrows amid GIS mapping
MARGAO: Congress Leader Savio Coutinho has said the proposed survey of selected towns and surrounding villages has come out as a mystery to all as the very purpose of such a survey is unknown.
He said the purpose has become even more suspicious considering the fact that the government has already initiated a GIS survey of all the cities and towns in Goa. “This parallel survey by including surrounding villages needs to be taken seriously by all, and questioning the government over the same becomes essential,” he said.
As far as Margao is concerned, Coutinho said the people here are already reeling in suspicion over the ongoing GIS survey since a host of documents and details are asked by the agency conducting the survey. “We will definitely undertake necessary correspondence with the concerned departments seeking details of this survey,” he added.
Velim MLA flags concerns over Ambelim village in urban survey
MARGAO: In a significant development, Velim MLA Cruz Silva has raised strong objection to the inclusion of Ambelim village in the urban survey.
The Velim MLA, who hails from the fishing village of Ambelim, has come out strongly against the recent notification issued by the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records, Panaji, which has listed Ambelim village among areas covered under the urban survey scheduled to begin in January 2026.
Speaking to The Goan, Silva stated: “Ambelim is a traditional village with a strong agrarian and cultural identity. Its inclusion in an urban survey is misleading and risks misclassifying land records, creating confusion for villagers regarding ownership, taxation, and future planning. Rural rights must not be diluted under the guise of urban expansion.”
The MLA emphasised that Ambelim is not an urban habitation and should be surveyed under rural parameters. “The government must clarify the criteria used for including villages in the urban survey. The rights of villagers and traditional holdings must be safeguarded,” he said.
The Velim MLA confirmed that he will raise this issue in the upcoming Assembly session, demanding transparency and correction of the notification. He assured constituents that he will continue to defend their interests and protect the rural character of Ambelim and surrounding villages.
