DEPARTMENT OF LAND RESOURCES CLARIFIES FACTS ON 'NAKSHA' PILOT PROJECT - 20th July 2026 - Ministry of Rural Development - Gazette Notification PDF

Executive Summary The Department of Land Resources issued this clarification to dispel rumors regarding the NAKSHA pilot project in Goa, confirming that all existing land records and property titles remain fully protected. This GIS-based mapping initiative, part of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme, aims to enhance town planning and land administration without altering ownership rights. Property owners are required to participate in a formal inquiry process scheduled from July 16 to August 14, 2026, at the ISLR office in Margao.

Key Points / Main Content

Project Objectives and Framework

• NAKSHA is a GIS-based urban land parcel mapping initiative under the national Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP).
• The project is designed to modernize land administration, improve town planning, and optimize public utility layouts.
• It is strictly a data-mapping exercise and is entirely distinct from land acquisition frameworks.

Protection of Property Rights

• Existing property titles, boundaries, and official land records remain secure and unaffected by the mapping exercise.
• Ownership is determined by established legal protocols and valid titles; physical presence during a survey does not grant property claims to third parties.
• The rights of non-resident landowners and those living abroad are fully safeguarded through multiple verification stages and public viewing windows.

Legal and Fiscal Clarifications

• The government is not taking over private land, and the survey is not designed to increase local property taxes.
• Ongoing legal and boundary disputes will remain unaffected and will continue to be managed by appropriate judicial or administrative courts.

Inquiry Process Details

• A formal inquiry phase follows the completion of physical ground-truthing.
• The inquiry is scheduled to take place from July 16 to August 14, 2026.
• Appointed officials will provide step-by-step guidance, meaning citizens do not need technical surveying expertise to participate.

Impact Analysis

Property Owners (Residents and Non-Residents) Impact Owners are assured that their legal titles and boundaries are protected, even if they are physically absent during survey visits. The project documents land as it exists on the field without impacting ongoing legal disputes or tax rates. Action Required Owners must appear before the Inspector at the Office of the Inspector of Survey and Land Records (ISLR), Osia Commercial Arcade, Margao, between July 16 and August 14, 2026, bringing all relevant property title documents.

Government Authorities (DoLR and DSLR Goa) Impact These departments are responsible for dismantling misinformation and ensuring a transparent mapping process. They must oversee the transition from physical ground-truthing to the formal inquiry phase. Action Required Appointed officials must provide technical guidance to citizens during the inquiry process and ensure all data-mapping remains distinct from land acquisition or tax-related frameworks.