PANAJI: The town and country planning (TCP) department has agreed to 52 applications for change of zone, including proposals from builders such as Magnitude Homes, Sattva Builders, Prestige Acres, Mayberry Estates, and Estate Eight O One LLP.
The total area that is being converted based on the 52 applications is 1.4 lakh sqm, which includes 68,399sqm at Sarvona-Bicholim, 20,000 sqm at Arambol-Pernem and 9,215 sqm at Corgao-Pernem.
One application for deletion of a 10m-wide road in a settlement zone has been approved in Mapusa. The plots, which received provisional clearance for conversion, are currently classified as natural cover, cultivable with irrigation command area, orchard, and no development slope in the Regional Plan 2021.
Data shows that a majority of the applicants who sought change of zone under Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act are small landowners with plot sizes of 105-512 sqm.
The TCP department has kept a 30-day window for stakeholders to file their objections and suggestions regarding the change of zone of these plots to settlement. Copies of the map and notes containing the proposed changes are available for inspection with the Regional Plan cell.
“The town and country planning department, after scrutinising the proposals, placed such proposals along with its scrutiny reports before the Goa town and country planning board for its recommendation and approval.
The Goa town and country planning board, in its 205th meeting on Aug 19, approved the proposals,” said chief town planner Rajesh Naik in a notification.
The TCP department now wants to use Section 39A to modify the Regional Plan for Goa 2021, the Outline Development Plan of Mapusa Planning Area, 2021, and the Outline Development Plan of Parra-Arpora-Nagoa Planning Area, 2030, so that the plots can be reclassified as settlement land or for transport and warehousing.
Of the 52 applications, 35 were already approved in June and July, but the department failed to provide all the details about the applicants. The TCP department has released the names of the applicants, the original zoning of the land, and the size of each land parcel.
