VASCO
A number of organisations are likely to challenge the Draft Outline Development Plan 2030 for the Vasco Planning Area prepared by the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA) in the high court.
Chicalim Bio-Crusaders Convenor Cyril Fernandes stated that organisations such as Chicalim Villagers Action Committee (CVAC), Goemcho Avaaz, Chicalim Youth Farmers Club (CYFC), Dabolim Yuvak Sangh, Save Open Spaces (SOS), Village Groups of Goa, People against Atrocities and Injustice (PAAI) and Chicalim Bio-Crusaders have pledged to be associated in a public interest litigation.
This was discussed at a meeting in Chicalim on Wednesday, when the Chicalim Bio-Crusaders had invited like-minded organisations and individuals who have raised various issues with the Mormugao PDA on the Draft ODP 2030.
The participants discussed the ongoing ODP process and the draft ODP 2030 prepared by the MPDA, as well as issues like change of zone of the Chicalim Khazan, Private Forest areas, Agricultural tenanted lands and No Development Zones.
During the discussions, participants claimed that the whole process of preparing ODPs since 2001 are erroneous and done without adopting the norms and practices as laid down in the Town and Country Planning Act and the other laws applicable.
They later decided to challenge the ODP exercise in the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court with the assistance of Goa Foundation.
Among those present at the meeting included Edwin Mascarenhas, Dr Bolmax Pereira, Adv Fr Michael Fernandes, Capt Viriato Fernandes, Cynthia Miranda, Roopa Naik, Pratap Mardolkar, Sanjay Mhalsekhar, Rui Manuel Araujo, John Philip Pereira and Cyril Fernandes.
