The long-pending issue of land for the Kabrastan at Sonsoddo is likely to be resolved soon, following a special meeting of the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) on Wednesday. The council passed a resolution to approve a deed of exchange proposal, aimed at settling the matter amicably in court.
The dispute has been pending before the High Court, with the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) informing the court of its inability to construct the cemetery due to objections from the Confraria of the Chapel of Borda.
According to records presented at the meeting, a survey conducted by the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records found that the Confraria has encroached upon 1001 squ mtrs of land that was acquired for the Kabrastan.
However, the Confraria claims that its cemetery predates the land acquisition, and the possession of the disputed land was based on a mistaken belief. In response, the council’s legal team has prepared a draft deed of exchange and grant of easement. The council unanimously approved the proposal, which will now be presented before the court to resolve the issue.
During the discussion, Councillor Nimisha Faleiro and others objected to the use of the word “encroached” in the official documents. Faleiro argued that the chapel’s cemetery had existed before the acquisition and urged for a more appropriate term. Municipal officials expressed willingness to consider substituting the word in official communications.