DEPARTMENT OF LAND RESOURCES CLARIFIES FACTS ON 'NAKSHA' PILOT PROJECT - 24th July 2026 - Ministry of Rural Development - Gazette Notification PDF

Executive Summary The Department of Land Resources has issued a clarification regarding the ‘NAKSHA’ urban mapping pilot project in Margao, Cuncolim, and Panaji, Goa. This initiative, part of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), aims to secure property rights and eliminate boundary disputes through GIS and drone-based mapping. A formal inquiry process for property owners is scheduled from July 16 to August 14, 2026.

Key Points / Main Content

• Project Objectives and Scope

  • The NAKSHA project is a flagship urban mapping pilot designed to bring pinpoint accuracy to land records.
  • The initiative aims to provide long-term security to landowners by matching official records with actual field conditions.
  • The project seeks to dispel misleading rumors regarding property boundaries and land titles.

• Technological Framework

  • The system utilizes modern GIS and drone-based mapping for high-precision data collection.
  • A "ground-truthing" process is employed to physically verify electronic maps against actual physical boundaries.

• Legal and Owner Protections

  • Original land records remain fully protected during the transition to digital formats.
  • The program includes specific public verification cycles to protect absent owners; physical absence during a survey does not impact legal ownership.

• Administrative Support

  • The formal inquiry process will be held at the Office of the Inspector of Survey and Land Records (ISLR) in Margao.
  • Survey officials are assigned to provide step-by-step assistance to citizens, removing the need for technical knowledge by the landowner.

Impact Analysis

Local Property Owners (Margao, Cuncolim, and Panaji)

• Impact: Owners benefit from increased transparency, the elimination of boundary friction, and the digital securing of their property titles.
• Action Required: They must bring their title documents to the Office of the Inspector of Survey and Land Records (ISLR) at the Osia Commercial Arcade, Margao, between July 16 and August 14, 2026.

Local Municipal Bodies

• Impact: Accurate digital maps will enable municipal bodies to better plan top-tier public utilities and infrastructure that directly serve local neighborhoods.
• Action Required: No specific action is mentioned for this stakeholder, though they are expected to utilize the refined data for urban planning.

Office of the Inspector of Survey and Land Records (ISLR)

• Impact: This office serves as the primary hub for the formal inquiry process and citizen engagement.
• Action Required: Officials must facilitate the inquiry process, assist citizens with title mapping, and manage the verification cycles.