PANAJI
The North Goa Planning and Development Authority’s (NGPDA) grand plan to create more parking space in Panaji by redeveloping old residential colonies has 36 housing societies responding to the call.
NGPDA Chairman Michael Lobo told ‘The Goan’ that as many as 36 housing societies in Panaji have asked for more floor-space-index (FSI). These suggestions were made to NGPDA when it kept the Panaji outline development plan (ODP) open to get the views and recommendations from capital city’s residents.
Lobo also said that some housing societies have asked for 200% FSI and some have even asked for 300% FSI.
RK Pandita, member secretary, NGPDA, said, “Families are staying in such old residential buildings for 30-40 years. They want to continue staying there and also don’t want their younger generations to leave Panaji either.”
To sort out the parking issue, Lobo said that anyone redeveloping an old building will have to keep two floors for parking. When asked whether the FSI can be more than 200%, Lobo said, “We will have to examine how much FSI can be allowed to generate extra space. We can allow more than 200% FSI if that helps us in meeting our objectives.”
So, what is the way forward after getting all the suggestions from Panaji’s residents? Lobo informed, “We will have to see all the cases. We will take local MLA and chief town planner into confidence.”
Meanwhile, NGPDA has finished the inspections and Lobo said that draft Panaji ODP will be ready in a month’s time, post which it will be sent to town and country planning (TCP) department.
But, the parking issue in Panaji is not due to residential buildings alone as commercial buildings have also contributed to it. Pandita said, “Around 18th June Road, there are few structures which have just one ground floor. For example, there is a government petrol pump on 18th June Road itself. Besides, there is an office of The Goa State Co-Operative Marketing and Supply Federation opposite EDC’s office. Both these structures just have one ground floor. Such buildings can be converted into multi-level parking lots because there is a need for this.”
Pandita continued, “Panaji can actually be a walk-way city. If we create these multi-level parking lots, then people can park their automobiles there and can walk to all main spots, which are within walking distance. But, we will need barrier-free footpaths, where people can walk easily with trolleys to keep their stuff just like in an airport.”
WHY MORE FLOOR-SPACE-INDEX
There are many old residential buildings in Panaji with ground-plus-two or ground-plus-three floors
Such buildings don’t have proper parking space, which also results in traffic congestion
Unless more floors are allowed, no builder will take up these buildings for redevelopment
FSI is the ratio of total constructed surface area of the building to the area of the plot
There are many old residential buildings in Panaji with ground plus two or ground plus three floors.
Unless more floors are allowed, no builder will take up these buildings for redevelopment
