the goan I network
MAPUSA
The Mapusa council on Wednesday in an unanimous decision expressed its resolve to have a separate Planning Development Authority for Mapusa for better planning and convenience of locals building individual houses.
Proposing the move, councilor Swapnil Shirodkar said that some crucial projects of the civic body were either stuck at the North Goa Planning and Development Authority or it took an excruciatingly long time to gain approval from the present planning body.
“There are no two ways about it. Mapusa needs a separate PDA for planning and development of the city,” Shirodkar said.
Senior councilor, Ryan Braganza seconded the proposal.
“Initially, we had only the NGPDA in the North which had now been bifurcated. In the lines of ‘Greater Panaji’, we can have a separate PDA for Mapusa. We can call it ‘Greater Mapusa’ or ‘Bardez PDA’, Braganza said.
Giving his sanction to the idea, former chairperson, Sandip Falari said in the past Mapusa did have a separate PDA and there was no harm in reviving it again.
“This council cannot recommend inclusion of other villages. That is for the government to decide. But we can definitely have a separate PDA for Mapusa,” Falari said.
“I think it’s feasible to have a PDA only for Mapusa as it has grown tremendously in the last few years. It will not only help in planning and development but also help individual people who have to constantly run to Panaji for approvals,” he added.
Not to be left behind,senior councilor and former chairperson, Sudhir Kandolkar added, “We are planning the Down Town scheme for expansion of Mapusa. Separate PDA will benefit the people of Mapusa.”
Chairperson, Rohan Kavlekar had no other alternative but to bow down to the wishes of the council. The resolution was later adopted and passed unanimously by the council.
