The Goa government has announced an initiative to update the state’s land records after more than five decades. The last comprehensive land survey in Goa was conducted in 1972, and since then, rapid urbanization and population growth have rendered existing records outdated. The new survey aims to identify unoccupied vacant plots and unclaimed land parcels, ensuring accurate documentation and clarity in property ownership.
Under the proposed Goa Geospatial Knowledge-Based Land Survey of Urban Habitations Rules, 2025, the government plans to first focus on urban areas, which are witnessing the highest pressure of development and real estate activity. Before finalizing the rules and commencing operations, the state invited objections and suggestions from the public, allowing stakeholders to participate in shaping the framework for the survey.
Vrushika Kauthankar, Under Secretary (Revenue-I), explained that whenever a survey is ordered in any village, town, or city, the Directorate of Land and Records will notify the inhabitants. House owners, mortgagees, residents living abroad, and other interested parties will be required to provide relevant information to the survey officers so that land measurements and ownership rights can be recorded accurately.
The operations will be led by officers not below the rank of an inspector, who will oversee the survey with the assistance of staff from the Land Survey Department, Revenue Department, Directorate of Panchayats, Urban Development Department, Corporation of the City of Panaji, and relevant municipal councils. The survey will leverage modern technology, with data being recorded in the Urban Peri-Urban Land Property Ownership Records (UP-ULPOR) system and supplemented through the Web GIS Portal of MPSEDC (Madhya Pradesh State Electronic Development Corporation).
Once data collection is completed, an inquiry officer, also of inspector rank or higher, will examine each parcel of land to determine rightful ownership. This includes evaluating encroachments, easements, licenses, and land vested in local authorities or the government. A draft of the UP-ULPOR will be made publicly accessible, allowing citizens to submit objections or suggestions within 30 days of notification.
Following this public consultation, the inquiry officer will finalize the list of unoccupied and unclaimed plots, which will then be forwarded to the collector. The collector is empowered to take necessary actions under the Goa Escheats, Forfeiture and Bona Vacantia Act, 2024, ensuring that unclaimed lands are appropriately managed or repurposed for public benefit.
The initiative is expected to bring transparency and efficiency to land administration in Goa, a state where urban growth has significantly increased the complexity of property transactions. Accurate records will not only protect citizens’ property rights but also enhance planning, development, and taxation processes.
Experts note that updating land records after such a long interval is crucial for modern urban governance. It ensures that previously unregistered land is brought into formal records, preventing disputes, curbing encroachments, and facilitating better real estate development practices. Urban planners and municipal authorities can also use the updated data to implement infrastructure projects and improve service delivery.
By integrating technology and involving citizens in the process, Goa’s land survey is positioned as a model initiative for other Indian states. It demonstrates how combining geospatial mapping, public consultation, and legal frameworks can modernize traditional systems that have remained unchanged for decades.
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