Goa, June 19 -- Nearly 14 years after the 2011 Census identified Panaji, Margao, and Mormugao as slum-dominated census towns, the Goa government has yet to officially notify these areas as slums-leaving thousands of residents without access to redevelopment or rehabilitation schemes.

Despite their classification by the Census of India, these areas remain unrecognised under the state's official records, creating a major policy gap. As a result, government departments and urban bodies remain powerless to initiate infrastructure upgrades, housing improvements, or social welfare initiatives for the affected population.

Officials say the lack of notification stems from administrative delays and policy ambiguity. "Without formal notification,...