the goan I network
MARGAO
The South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) on Wednesday is believed to have decided to withdraw the C2 commercial zone proposed near the Holy Spirit Church area and has instead earmarked the property in question as special residential zone with a high Floor Area Ratio (FAR).
The SGPDA, however, has refused to either confirm or deny having taken such a decision as the Election Commission, while allowing the PDA to hold the meeting on Wednesday, has barred the body from taking any action till the time the Election Code of Conduct is in force in
the State.
Sources in the know said the Planning and Development Authority (PDA) had its meeting under the leadership of Chairperson Dr Renuka Da Silva with permission from the Election Commission. The meeting was apparently convened with the permission of the Election Commission as the chairperson and some will be out of station till May end.
Sources in the know said the PDA has rectified the discrepancies that had cropped up in the ODP which was finalised by the PDA earlier this year. A major discrepancy, which has been rectified by the PDA, sources said, was the C2 zone status bestowed on a property at Old market, near the Holy Spirit Church, which was not taken kindly by
the local residents who had come out openly to oppose the commercial zone in a heritage project.
Sources, however, said the PDA has granted special residential areas for the property in question, by maintaining the same FAR, even though the C2 zone is believed to have been scrapped at Wednesday’s meeting.
Sources further said the PDA is believed to have maintained the proposed 10-metre road passing through the Old market area, on grounds that the road width was existing in the previous ODP as well.
Meanwhile, the PDA is reported to have taken a decision to rope in award winning architect, Vinayak Bharne to help the authority from drawing up a plan for the Fatorda areas of the city. However, it is believed to have been decided that the services of the consultant can be utilised if the local MLA Digambar Kamat is in agreement with the decision.
TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai had last week invited Vinayak Bharne to deliver a talk on focus of planning in Goa, and has unveiled plans to engage the services of the architect to plan Fatorda in the scheme
of things.
Sources in the know said that the TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai is not averse in engaging the services of the architect to prepare the Comprehensive Development Plan (CMD) for the commercial capital.
