Goa's Margao and Mormugao Set for Digital Transformation with GIS-Based Masterplans
In a significant move towards modern urban development, the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department in Goa has announced plans to convert the existing outline development plans (ODPs) for Margao and Mormugao into comprehensive GIS-based masterplans. This initiative is being undertaken under the Central Government's Amrut 2.0 programme, marking a pivotal step in enhancing urban infrastructure and planning for these key cities.
Amrut 2.0 Programme: A Focus on Class II Towns
The exercise falls under a sub-scheme of Amrut 2.0 specifically designed for class II towns with populations ranging between 50,000 and 99,999. This sub-scheme is fully funded by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and targets towns that were not covered under the original Amrut mission launched in 2015, which primarily focused on metro and class I cities. By including Margao and Mormugao, the programme aims to bridge the urban planning gap and ensure sustainable development across smaller urban centres.
Comprehensive Digital Mapping and Data-Driven Blueprints
The conversion process will involve digitally mapping both cities with data-driven blueprints that cover a wide array of parameters. These include land use, infrastructure, transport, housing, and employment opportunities. For Margao and Mormugao, this means transforming their existing notified ODPs into a GIS-based urban database encompassing 25 socio-economic and physical parameters. The final output will be a full statutory masterplan developed under the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, 1974, ensuring legal compliance and structured growth.
Scope and Timeline of the Masterplan Development
TCP officials estimate that the conversion of ODPs into masterplans will take over a year to complete. The first step in this extensive process will be the appointment of a consultant to oversee the project. The masterplan for Margao will cover an area of 82 square kilometres, including the municipal area and peripheries of the urban region, which encompasses surrounding villages. For Mormugao, the TCP is considering the Vasco da Gama planning area, spanning 42.4 square kilometres of municipal and panchayat areas, ensuring a holistic approach to urban planning.
Key Parameters and Surveys for Enhanced Urban Planning
The masterplans will meticulously map various critical aspects of urban life, such as population growth, employment trends, industrial activities, commercial hubs, educational institutions like schools, healthcare facilities including hospitals, road networks, water supply systems, sewerage management, solid waste disposal, parks, heritage sites, agricultural land, forest cover, and government-owned vacant land. To gather accurate data, primary surveys will be conducted, focusing on land use, traffic and transport patterns, and household characteristics, as confirmed by officials.
Paperless Process with Advanced Technology Integration
In a move towards efficiency and sustainability, the entire masterplan development process will be paperless. It will utilise an integrated mobile application developed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun. This application will be instrumental for field data collection, attribute vetting, and incorporating satellite imagery inputs, ensuring a seamless and technologically advanced approach to urban planning.
This initiative underscores Goa's commitment to leveraging technology for better urban management, setting a precedent for other regions to follow in adopting GIS-based solutions for comprehensive development.
