MARGAO
For the second time in the last one year, the Outline Development Plan (ODP) for Margao and Ponda 2031 has been kept open for public objections and suggestions.
The South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGDPA) issued a notification on Thursday inviting public to submit their objections/suggestions to the draft-ODP 2031 within the next 30 days.
The SGDPA, however, has informed the public that objections which were received earlier by the Authority for the draft ODP 2031 of Margao planning area need not be filed again as the same are already on record.
The SGDPA had set in motion the process to finalise the ODP 2031 in November last year by inviting suggestions/objections from the people. Around 160-odd suggestions and objections were received to the draft-ODP 2031. However, before the ODP could be finalized, the State witnessed a change of guard earlier this year.
The Government by Order 27 April, 2022 published in the Official Gazette Series II No 4 dated 28.04.2022 directed the SGPDA to keep on hold the Draft ODP 2031 and to prepare fresh Outline Development Plan for Margao Planning Area in consultation with the consultants/experts as may be decided by the Government and TCP Board.
The government directions were later placed in the 97th Authority meeting of the SGPDA held on September 14, 2022, wherein the PDA resolved to seek one more month time for receiving objections/suggestions of already notified Draft ODP 2031 for Margao Planning Area.
The resolution of the SGPDA was accepted by the TCP Board at the meeting held on September 15, 2022, staying the TCP Board has recommended to extend the said period by 30 days.
In the notification, the SGDPA has informed that the Draft Outline Development Plan 2031 for Margao Planning Area has been kept for inspection of the public in general on all working days in the office of the South Goa Planning and Development Authority at the Osia Commercial Arcade, Margao, besides the PDA Ponda office and the office of the Margao Municipal Council.
Interestingly, it’s not even three years since the Margao ODP 2028 was finalised by the SGDPA in the year 2019, by bringing a host of changes in the zones.
