MPDA to knock SC door over Navy's NOC clause

PLANNING AUTHORITY SAYS IT WILL HIT BUILDERS, COMMON MAN

THE GOAN NETWORK | SEPTEMBER 16, 2020, 07:30 PM IST
NAVY'S NOC CLAUSE:A STUMBLING BLOCK>> Much of the area in Mormugao taluka and surroundings are bound within the 4-km radius of the Airport>> As per the clause, any construction within the 4-km radius would need the Navy’s NOC>> Members of MPDA feel this clause will create unnecessary issues for the common man or builders------------------------VASCO: The Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA) is set for a major legal battle with the Navy, after deciding to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the Navy’s NOC clause for development works within the 4-km radius of the Dabolim Airport.Cuncolim BJP MLA Clafascio Dias, who is also the MPDA chairman, on Wednesday resumed office after a gap of 4 months and also convened a meeting with all members to discuss various issues pertaining to the MPDA.Those present at the meeting included Urban Development Minister Milind Naik, Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho, Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida and Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha.Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dias said several builders from the port town had also raised their grievances at the MPDA meeting."The main issue discussed on Wednesday pertained to the Navy’s NOC clause for any construction within the 4-km radius of the Dabolim Airport.”“This clause is unacceptable as much of the area in Mormugao Taluka and surroundings are bound within the 4-km radius of the Airport. As per the clause, any construction within the 4-km radius would need the Navy’s NOC. We also feel this clause will create unnecessary issues for the common man or builders," said Dias."Besides the Naval NOC clause, the Navy has now asked us for records of all existing houses within the 4-km radius, while asking us to submit a report if these existing houses are legal or illegal. This is not right,” said Dias.The MPDA chairman said the MPDA at its last meeting on May 20 has discussed the matter of challenging the Navy’s NOC in the Supreme Court.“This move has been approved in today's (Wednesday) meeting and within next week, we will file a case in Supreme Court over the issue of the Naval NOC.”“We are confident the case will be in our favour because this Naval NOC clause and rules are not so stringent in other states. Besides, there is practically no land in Vasco that can escape the 4-km radius of the airport," said Dias."This Naval NOC clause is now applicable to anyone planning to build a house or construct a building. It was understandable if the Navy had to demand its NOC close to the funnel zone, but the 4-km radius is not acceptable.”“The Navy itself has built high-rise buildings in close proximity of the airport and we have passed a resolution to ask them and conduct an enquiry on how they (Navy) built the high-rise buildings.”“Before we submit records of houses in surrounding areas of the airport, the Navy must give us their details and NOCs obtained for their buildings," said Dias.
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