Goa Announces Third District Kushavati

Goa is set to get its third district, named Kushavati, marking a major administrative reorganisation in the coastal state. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who said the new district would be named after the ancient Kushavati river that flows through parts of the region. At present, Goa has only two districts—North Goa and South Goa.

Composition and Administrative Structure

The proposed Kushavati district will be carved entirely out of South Goa. It will comprise four talukas—Dharbandora, Quepem, Sanguem and Canacona. Until the required infrastructure is created, all administrative work of the new district will continue to be managed from the South Goa district headquarters. The South Goa collector will temporarily oversee district administration until a full-time collector is appointed.

Quepem as District Headquarters

Quepem town has been designated as the headquarters of Kushavati district. The state government has assured that proper bus connectivity will be developed between Quepem and distant talukas such as Canacona and Dharbandora. This is aimed at ensuring that residents do not face inconvenience while accessing district-level administrative services.

Aspirational District Status and Funding

The Chief Minister stated that Kushavati will be developed as an aspirational district. Such districts receive additional central assistance of ₹15 crore to improve governance and infrastructure. The state government plans to seek special funds from the Centre to build administrative facilities, especially considering that around 27 per cent of the district’s population belongs to tribal communities.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Goa currently has two districts: North Goa and South Goa.
• Kushavati will be Goa’s third district, carved out of South Goa.
• The district is named after the ancient Kushavati river.
• Aspirational districts receive additional central funding for development.

Notification and Implementation Timeline

The state government has indicated that a formal notification for the creation of Kushavati district will be issued shortly. Full-scale operations as an independent district will begin once infrastructure, staffing, and administrative arrangements are completed.