Panaji: The town and country planning (TCP) department has initiated the process to convert nearly 69,300 square meters of land across Goa to settlement zone under Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning Act. This includes a proposal involving land currently classified as a lake and water body in the Regional Plan (RP).
Sir Biotech India's Proposal
Among the applications under consideration is a proposal by Sir Biotech India seeking the conversion of 10,400 square meters of land at Davorlim in Salcete taluka. The land is presently designated as a lake and water body in the Regional Plan. According to a notification issued by TCP chief town planner Vertika Dagur, the TCP board has recommended the conversion of 9,400 square meters of the land from lake to settlement zone while retaining the remaining area under the water body classification. The proposal is subject to comments from local authorities and the water resources department (WRD).
Other Zone Conversion Proposals
The proposed changes form part of 17 applications through which the TCP is seeking to “correct” zoning classifications in the Regional Plan by invoking provisions under Section 39A of the TCP Act. Separately, the department has proposed the conversion of 25,384 square meters of land in Arpora and Parra villages in Bardez taluka and Cola village in Canacona taluka to settlement zone. These parcels are currently classified as orchard, natural cover and no-development zone in the Regional Plan.
Criticism and Legal Challenges
The latest round of zone conversion proposals comes amid continuing criticism of the TCP’s use of Section 39A for piecemeal land-use changes. Former Allahabad high court chief justice Ferdino Rebello has recently vowed to pursue action against officials and TCP Board members responsible for approving land conversions in the state.
