Heritage structure Camara building marked as ‘commercial’ in Margao’s land use map

SGPDA Member Secretary says the building is shown as commercial because of ITS commercial activity, reassures it will be shown as heritage structure in OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

| OCTOBER 20, 2018, 03:51 AM IST
Heritage structure Camara building marked  as ‘commercial’ in Margao’s land use map

the goan I network

MARGAO

A couple of Margao City Fathers have strongly rooted for the  utilisation of the space behind the Holy Spirit cemetery for the  expansion of the burial ground, while others insisted that the Monte  Hill area be zoned as a hilly terrain to bar constructions atop the  picturesque hillock.

One of the councillors also pointed out to the  PDA that the heritage structure, Camara de Salcete building is shown as  commercial. SGPDA Member Secretary Ashok Kumar, however, sought to clarify that the Camara building is shown as commercial in the land use  map because of the commercial activity in the building, reassuring that  the building will be shown as heritage structure in the ODP.

The City  Fathers made a host of suggestions from the city’s planning point of  view as the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) on  Friday set in motion the process of obtaining inputs from the local  self-government body ahead of the preparation of the Outline Development  Plan (ODP) for Margao.

Councillors Angelis Pereira and Glen Andrade  made a forceful plea to the SGPDA to consider utilisation of the space  near the Hospicio for the expansion of the cemetery. Saying that the  cemetery has been facing space constraints over the years, the two  councillors said the SGPDA should consider utilising the land between the  cemetery and the BPS club for expansion of the burial grounds.

SGPDA  member secretary Ashok Kumar told The Goan that the PDA will  inspect the land suggested by the two councillors, to find out the  details, including the ownership of the land and the zone.

Angelis  and Glen later told The Goan that they will also make a representation  to the TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai to consider the expansion of the Holy  Spirit cemetery on the plot of land between the cemetery wall and the  BPS Club. “We have made our suggestion to the SGPDA since the existing  cemetery is facing severe space constraints,” they added.

Meanwhile, councillor Glen Andrade told the SGPDA that the Monte Hill area zone  should be declared as hilly terrain to scuttle plans by the builders to  utilise the land for settlement. “Right now, the Monte Hill area has  been declared as green zone. Declaring the area as a hilly terrain will  protect the picturesque hillock for posterity,” Glen added.

He also  drew the attention of SGPDA officials that the crumbling Camara de  Salcete building at the Old market is marked as commercial. “As we all  know, this building is a heritage area. It cannot be commercial,” he  said, while urging the PDA to retain the heritage status of the building. The councillor also raised questions on the 20-metre wide  Borda road, fearing that the road width, if implemented, will result in  the razing down of the heritage structures along the road.

Chairperson  Babita Prabhudesai also raised a host of questions on the status of the  zone vis-a-vis the land acquired around Sonsodo.

The SGPDA Member  Secretary Ashok Kumar told The Goan that a joint special meeting of the  Margao Municipal Council and the SGDPA will be held soon, wherein all  

issues concerning the planning of the city will be deliberated in  details. 

“At the special meeting, we expect the Margao City Fathers to  submit all their proposals in writing,” he said, adding that the PDA  officials explained to the MMC councillors the land use map and register  put in place by the civic body and the steps being taken to prepare the  ODP for the planning areas of Margao.



Councillors Angelis Pereira and Glen Andrade made a forceful plea to consider utilisation of the space near the Hospicio for the expansion of the cemetery

Councillor Glen Andrade informed that the Monte Hill area zone  should be declared as hilly terrain to scuttle plans by the builders to utilise the land for settlement

The councillor also raised questions on the 20-metre wide  Borda road, fearing that the road width, if implemented, will result in  the razing down of the heritage structures along the road

Chairperson Babita Prabhudesai also raised a host of questions on the status of the  zone vis-a-vis the land acquired around Sonsodo

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