the goan I network
VASCO
As former Mormugao MLA, ex-chairperson of Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA) and a builder, Karl Vaz has some political and construction experience in matters pertaining to development and he has minced no words in accusing the Navy of itself constructing tall buildings near the airport.
Speaking to The Goan on Tuesday, Vaz said naval authorities must come clear on the Funnel Zone and provide the altitude of the runway at Dabolim airport with reference to the Mean Sea level (MSL). “The Navy should provide the colour-coded map with MSLs indicating the altitude of the runway as per GPS and the surrounding ground they want to freeze.”
“Suppose they have shown the runway at an altitude of around 100 mtrs above MSL, then they could say that the funnel zone is designated from 100 MSL upwards and any building below the 100 MSL can go free from Naval restrictions,” said Vaz.
“It is important to know the Funnel Zone gradings created by the Navy, altitudes of the Funnel Zone and the altitude heights they have desired to freeze. Suppose a particular surrounding area, as per the ground zoning, is below the funnel zone altitude as per GPS, then they may not require a Naval clearance.”
Vaz insisted that these details have to be made available to the MPDA, which can take a decision directly as per altitude of the runway and the altitudes of the Funnel Zone and there is no need to run to different departments for permissions.
“MPDA should ask the Navy if they have already done the grading in the colour-coded map showing the altitude of the runway which plays an important role in the Funnel Zone formation.”
“Considering that the runway may be around 40 mtrs above the sea level, any building near Baina, considering a maximum permissible height which is 30 mtrs, will automatically not be in the restricted area to be built in the Funnel Zone because it is already below the altitude of the airport runway.”
“Generally, a commercial building can achieve a height of 27-30 mtrs from the ground to the water tank and as such, a building in areas like Baina or surrounding Vasco City will automatically not be restricted despite its proximity to the Airport,” said Vaz.
“What surprises me is that naval authorities have themselves built buildings of 27-30 mtrs in height near the airport and there are buildings even at Chicolna Bogmallo in the Coast Guard Colony. This means that 30 mtrs above the runway is free of the Funnel Zone and hence, there should be no requirement of going to Navy,” said Vaz.
The former MPDA chairman insisted that harassment should not be meted out to the locals.
“The Navy must provide altitude levels of the airport and surrounding areas and have the colour-coded map in a very transparent way, so that architects and engineers can plan the same. Most areas in and around Vasco are definitely at lower altitudes and below the runway levels,” said Vaz.
