District formed with four sub-divisions and HQ at Quepem; administrative map redrawn with uniform collector-led setup
PANAJI
The Goa government has formally notified the creation of a third district, Kushavati, carved out of South Goa, thereby reconstituting the State into three districts – North Goa, South Goa, and Kushavati.
The notification was issued by the State Revenue Department on Wednesday, marking a significant administrative restructuring aimed at improving governance and service delivery.
The administration and staffing in each of these districts will be uniform – headed by a collector with three additional collectors in each district, a deputy collector (Revenue) and separate deputy collectors to head each of the sub-districts (talukas) in their jurisdiction.
Kushavati district
The newly formed Kushavati district will have its headquarters at Quepem. It comprises four sub-divisions — Quepem, Sanguem, Dharbandora, and Canacona.
The district also includes a wide spread of villages such as Quepem, Curchorem, Rivona, Sanguem, Dharbandora, Colem, Molem, Canacona, Agonda, Palolem, and Cotigao, among others.
Officials said the new district has been designed to bring administration closer to people in the hinterland and southern talukas, which were earlier part of South Goa, headquartered at Margao.
North Goa district
North Goa will continue to have its headquarters at Panaji and will comprise the sub-divisions of Pernem, Bardez (Mapusa), Bicholim, Sattari, and Tiswadi (Panaji). Prominent villages include Arambol, Mandrem, Calangute, Candolim, Aldona, Bicholim, Sankhali, Valpoi, and Taleigao.
The district remains the hub of tourism and commerce, with its headquarters, Panaji, also serving as the State's capital.
South Goa district
South Goa, with its headquarters at Margao, will now consist of Ponda, Salcete (Margao), and Mormugao sub-divisions. Villages such as Ponda, Shiroda, Margao, Colva, Curtorim, Cuncolim, Verna, Vasco, and Cortalim fall under its jurisdiction.
The district continues to be the State’s industrial and commercial centre, with Mormugao Port and Vasco playing a key role in trade and logistics. The creation of Kushavati district is expected to ease administrative pressures on South Goa, which previously covered a vast geographical area from Ponda to Canacona.
By carving out a new district, the government aims to ensure better access to public services, faster resolution of local issues, and coordination of development projects.
With this notification, Goa now stands reconstituted into three districts — North Goa, South Goa, and Kushavati — each with its own headquarters and administrative divisions.
