Draft Panaji ODP envisages special
residential, transport parking zones
Byline: The Goan Network
In a bid to modernise Panaji, special residential zones, transport parking zones and commercial zones have been defined in the draft outline development plan (ODP) for the capital city. This was informed by Panaji MLA, Sidharth Kuncalienker.
Kuncalienker heads a sub-committee of North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA), which held various stakeholders meetings to find out ways to modernise Panaji.
Kuncalienker said, “There are a number of old residential colonies in Panaji, which are deteriorating and in need of redevelopment. Many of these buildings are abutting the road without any parking. To sort out this issue, we have defined special residential zones in Panaji, where we will allow more coverage.”
“The idea is to build floors for parking within these buildings by allowing them more coverage. The floors given for parking will be free of floor-area-ratio (FAR) regulations. This will allow builders to reconstruct old buildings by building more floors. This will help builders to sell few additional floors in every building which will help them in making project commercially feasible,"he added.
Kuncalienker also informed that a decision has been taken to define a transport parking zone near Divja circle and Santa Monica jetty. He said, “Transport parking was a concept, where vehicles could be parked. But now vehicles can be parked on several floors and there is no end to the technology on how high you want to take your vehicles.”
Besides, NGPDA has also made changes in zoning for certain parts of the city so that more area is available for multiple use.
Kuncalienker said, “There are many zones in Panaji like FCI godown next to Junta House, which is classified under institutional zone. But, we have made this multi-use zone. We are proposing a multi-level car park there, wherein even FCI godown can be accommodated. This is prime city area and converting it into a car park will solve parking problem.”
He further said, “In some cases, conservation zone has been extended to even non-conservation area and people were put to hardship. For instance there are many beautiful houses in Ribandar along the old road, which deserve to be conserved. But, there are new developments, which aren’t of conservation value, but conservation zone was extended to them. We want to remove this.”
Michael Lobo, chairman, NGPDA, said, “Panaji draft ODP will be sent to government for approval by September 27th.”
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Box
• Draft ODP earmarks special residential zone to allow more coverage for redevelopment of old residential buildings
• Zoning of certain institutional buildings changed to make them multi-use
• Multi-level car parking planned to ease out congestion due to parking issue
• Conservation status to be removed where structures are not important from conservation viewpoint
