PANAJI: The State Government's decision of yet again sending the notified Regional Plan 2021 to the public for its review came in for severe firing from a green gun - Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA), which said the step was in the wrong direction and that, it could have devastating results similar to that of marauding floods in Chennai.
At a meeting of its members on Friday in the city, the GBA raised fear and concern over the reopening of the plan sans any guidelines. “Planning has to be done on scientific principles which should have been in place in the form of guidelines even if the plan is opened. But this has not been the case. With the current climatic conditions that led to floods in Canacona, it is not a pretty picture, if buildings are allowed to grow haphazardly Goa will become next Chennai,” said Sabina Martins, GBA convenor.
Denouncing the reopening of the plan without any guidelines, she said proper norms were followed while drafting the regional plan, which has gone missing now.
“Planning has been taken very lightly by the government with the way they have gone this time, it looks like history is repeating itself and they are only thinking of it as being a way to win the elections,” she said.
Other members of the Abhiyan also questioned the timing of the opening of the plan during the festive month of December. She said most people, especially from Bardez and Salcette, considered problem areas, would be busy and have no time to file their objections and suggestions.
Since there were no rules and guidelines, members also feared that people would ask for conversion of vast tracts of land into settlement area. They also criticised the government for not being clear on land that would be marked as eco-sensitive and settlement areas as well as the absence of village level committee as in the past to look into suggestions.
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.. it is not a pretty picture, if buildings are allowed to grow haphazardly Goa will become next Chennai
- Sabina Martins, GBA convenor
