TCP withdraws 80,926 sqm conversion within hours after CM’s directive; notification issued
PANAJI
In a swift follow-up to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's announcement, the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department on Wednesday issued a formal notification rescinding the recently approved zone change for a land parcel in Sanquelim.
The decision comes just hours after the Chief Minister publicly stated that permissions granted for the controversial zone conversion would be withdrawn, amid growing public concern.
The revoked zone change involved a total area of 80,926 square metres.
According to the notification issued by the Office of the Chief Town Planner, the earlier approval granted under Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, 1974, for change of zone in the Regional Plan 2021 stands cancelled. The matter pertained to a plot at serial number 08, which had been notified in the Official Gazette on March 20, 2026.
The government, through a note dated March 25, 2026, directed the TCP Board to rescind its earlier decision taken under the relevant provisions of the Goa TCP Rules, 2024. Acting on this direction, the department has now officially revoked the zone change.
Sources indicated that the move follows mounting criticism over large-scale land conversions, with Sanquelim being one of the flashpoints. The proposal had triggered objections from locals and activists over the scale of the land involved.
With the latest notification, the land will revert to its original zoning status as per the Regional Plan.
The development signals the government’s attempt to address public backlash and rein in contentious planning decisions ahead of upcoming civic polls.
Earlier during his post cabinet press conference, Sawant had said he had spoken to TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane and asked him to withdraw even the provisional approval granted for the proposed conversion of 80,926 square metres of land to settlement zone at Maulinguem.
“I have spoken to the Minister and asked to withdraw even the provisional approval. The conversion of land will not happen because I don't know if they (TCP Board) have seen or not. That is a valley actually,” Sawant said.
The land in question comprised partly settlement area (7,339 sq m), natural cover (19,792 sq mts), natural cover with no-development slope (36,708 sq mts), natural cover with crematorium (4,620 sq mts) in Maulinguem.
