the goan I network
MARGAO
In a major decision, the Town and Country Planning Board on Thursday decided to to re-open the Outline Development Plans (ODPs) of Panaji, Mapusa and Vasco for re-drafting by following the standard uniform procedures as mandated by the Act.
The decision was taken at the 163rd meeting of the TCP board, which also decided to de-notify the controversial SH-8 passing through the historic village of Chandor.
Another significant decision taken by the Board at Thursday’s meeting also reduced the width of the Margao-Colva road from 25 meters to 15 meters which was affecting the 400-year old Our Lady of Merces, Church Colva.
The decision to reopen the ODPs of Panaji, Mapusa and Vasco is significant as the already finalised plans had evoked vociferous criticism that they had given in to “commercial interests” on a gigantic scale.
In Panaji for instance, the ODP had increased FAR in S1 (Settlement) zones from 100 to 200 and in the C1 (Commercial) zones from the then existing 200 to 300. Also, over one-lakh square metres of land earmarked as ‘settlement’ in the previous ODP was converted to ‘commercial’ zone. And, 20,000-odd square metres of orchard land has been shown as ‘settlement’ in the new ODP.
Meanwhile, the Corporation of the City of Panaji, a major stakeholder and licencing authority vis-a-vis development in the Capital city has challenged the ODP before the Bombay High Court. The CCP when it was headed by then Mayor Surendra Furtado, pleaded before the High Court that the ODP be scrapped on grounds that it was not taken into confidence while finalizing the plan despite it being the civic body of the capital city.
The Board meeting chaired by TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai has decided to allow relaxation of setbacks coverage to the Shri Krishna Mandir as a special case since it is the only temple of the Harijan Samaj in Goa.
While deciding to de-notify the SH-8 (state highway) passing through the village of Chandor, the Board has asked the PWD to suggest an alternate route. The Board decision assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the assurances given by the TCP Minister to a delegation of Chandor villagers led by former Cuncolim MLA Joaquim Alemao some time back. The Chandor villagers had launched a sustained battle for the de-notification of the SH-8 highway, saying the state highway would destroy the heritage of the village.
In the case of the Colva Church, the board has decided to reduce the width of the road from 25 mts to 15 mts of Major District road which was affecting the Our Lady of Merces Church, Colva. The TCP Minister had last week handed out a promise to the villagers of Colva, including the Parish Priest and local Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao that the TCP Board would reduce the width of the Major District road from 25 mts to 15 mts and save the heritage Church from destruction.
The 163rd meeting of the TCP Board was later adjourned to September 3.
