MARGAO
The National Geospatial Knowledge-Based Land Survey of Urban Habitations (NAKSHA) pilot project has come back to haunt Madgavkars as a public awareness vehicle has been making the rounds of the commercial capital over the past few days, catching the attention of landowners.
For, the campaign is aimed at creating awareness about the inquiry process under (NAKSHA) pilot project, which has now reached the stage of inquiry for the purpose of determining the right, title and interest of individuals and institutions in respect of lands covered under the survey.
With the ground-truthing exercise in the Margao urban area now completed, the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records has scheduled the inquiry process at the Office of the Inspector of Survey and Land Records (ISLR), Osia Commercial Arcade, SGPDA Market, from July 16 to August 14, 2026.
The ISLR has directed members of the public to appear before the concerned Inspector on the scheduled date along with documents relating to the title of their properties.
The exercise, however, has triggered apprehension in several quarters, with questions being raised over whether landowners who are unable to attend the inquiry—particularly those residing abroad—could face any risk to their properties.
Concerns have also been expressed over whether the ongoing NAKSHA survey could result in changes to existing land records.
Sources recalled Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's assurance that the NAKSHA survey would not alter existing land records or land titles. They also referred to a recent statement by Director of Settlement and Land Records Chandrakant Shetkar, who had clarified that the NAKSHA exercise is only a pilot project and that the data collected would remain separate from the original survey records.
"We only hope that the government stands by its assurance. There may be many landowners who were not present when the survey was conducted, and their absence should in no way put their properties at risk," sources said.
Meanwhile, Goa Consumer Action Network (GOACAN) has pointed to what it describes as discrepancies in the public notices issued by the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records in connection with the NAKSHA pilot project.
The organisation noted that the ground-truthing exercise has largely been completed in the jurisdictions of the Cuncolim Municipal Council, Margao Municipal Council and the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), along with peri-urban areas of Tiswadi taluka, following which public notices have been issued by the respective Inspectors of Survey and Land Records.
GOACAN convenor Roland Martins said the notices issued for Margao and Cuncolim provide 21 working days for public inspection, whereas those relating to Panaji and the villages of Tiswadi allow only 16 working days.
He further pointed out that one of the notices incorrectly refers to the "Panaji Municipal Council", which no longer exists, and should instead mention the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP).
Referring to the government's earlier circular proposing urban status for 56 villages—which was later withdrawn following widespread public opposition—Martins said that land-related inquiries should allow a minimum of 60 working days for public participation.
"As these inquiries involve land rights, the time provided must be a clear 60 working days. In the case of the peri-urban areas, the names of the villages in Tiswadi taluka should also be specifically mentioned in the notices," he said.
Martins added that extending the inspection period would particularly benefit women, senior citizens and persons with disabilities across Goa.
