The Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department of Goa has issued a stop work order for a major housing project in Carambolim following intense protests by local villagers. The action came after a joint inspection revealed alleged violations concerning the distance from a crematorium and inadequate road access.
Protests Spark Inspection and Immediate Halt
On Tuesday, the TCP department served a show cause notice and stop work order to the Carambolim panchayat. This directive brings all construction activity for the large-scale project—which includes residential flats, commercial shops, a swimming pool, and a compound wall—to an immediate standstill until further notice.
The decision followed a day-long protest by Carambolim residents on Monday, led by the political group Revolutionary Goans, outside the TCP department's office. The villagers' primary contention was that the project's approval was based on plans that did not match ground realities.
Key Violations Cited by Villagers and Officials
During a joint site inspection on Monday, villagers highlighted two major issues. First, they pointed out that the distance between the existing crematorium platform and the proposed building complex did not appear to comply with the rules. Second, they raised concerns about road access.
The approved plans indicated a 5.5-meter road, but the on-site inspection revealed the actual width was only 3.5 meters. Furthermore, villagers stated that the proposed 15-meter and 10-meter rights of way on the southern and western sides of the property were not available as per the actual site conditions.
Deputy Town Planner Manguirish N. Verenkar directed the panchayat to respond within seven working days, explaining why the technical clearance order issued on January 14, 2025, should not be revoked.
Political Reactions and Assurance of Lawful Development
TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane confirmed the action, stating that all construction was stopped immediately after the inspection recorded compliance issues. "Development in Goa will proceed strictly as per law. Any deviation from prescribed norms will invite decisive action. There will be no compromise on statutory compliance," Rane asserted.
The issue reached the highest levels of the state government. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reviewed the matter on Tuesday after it was raised by MLA Viresh Borkar. Sawant directed Minister Rane to investigate the approvals granted and identify any officers responsible for lapses.
Revolutionary Goans president Manoj Parab accused the minister of favouring builders from other states. MLA Viresh Borkar warned that the project would put severe pressure on the village's already strained infrastructure. Protesters had attempted to enter the TCP office but were stopped by police, choosing instead to stage a sit-in until their demands were addressed.
