NEW MARGAO ODP: GENUINE EXERCISE OR AN AGENDA?

These and other questions will certainly come to the fore as perhaps for the first time in recent years, the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGDPA) will get going with preparation of the ODP for Margao just two years after the notification of the current ODP on March 15, 2019 with the government giving the go-ahead for taking up the planning exercise.

When the Pramod Sawant-led government on March 15, 2021 ordered preparation of the Margao ODP, the opposition MLAs on the PDA panel, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat and Vijai Sardesai vehemently objected to the move, contending that an ODP’s horizon period was 10 years, arguing that the government is opening the ODP even before the completion of two years since its notification.

The two MLAs had further raised objections to the fact that in the event the SGPDA goes ahead with the new ODP for Margao, the planning body will have to prepare the Land Use Map all over again, contending that since the earlier Land Use Map was prepared three years ago, many changes must have taken place on the ground.

The duo had further contended that the SGPDA had failed to prepare the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) for the planning, a mandatory exercise.

SGPDA Chairman, MLA Wilfred D’Sa however, had begged to differ. The Congress-turned-BJP MLA was clear in saying the government directions were clear that the ODP preparation was to be under Section 39(1) of the TCP Act along with the provisions of Section 34-38. That’s not all. The PDA Chairman was categorical in saying the TCP Act does not make it mandatory to prepare the existing land use map prior to the preparation of the ODPs, pointing out that the SGDPA had prepared the existing land use Map before preparation of the ODP 2028 finalized two years ago.

Incidentally, outgoing SGDPA Member Secretary V Dagur had adopted the stand that the ODP 2028 is like a Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) as it is in the scale of 1:5000 with features such as zones and roads.

How the SGPDA will go about preparing the new plan will be known only when the PDA takes a decision and sends the draft to the government before inviting suggestions and objections from the public. It still isn’t clear whether the PDA headed by MLA Wilfred D’Sa will review the decisions taken by the previous body, including decisions to set up housing projects in heritage zones and on the hilltop opposite Sonsodo.

Says PDA Chairman, Wilfred: “The government clarification will be placed before the forthcoming meeting of the SGDPA. The PDA has received government sanction for preparing the ODP for Margao and Ponda planning area.”

Giving broad indications about the ODP that will be put in place, D’Sa said the PDA will focus on what requires to be done for the planning areas of Margao and Ponda, adding “review of the existing ODP will be done only if the situation warrants”.

Section 39(1) of the TCP Act 

It speaks about alteration of Development Plan and making of minor changes: 

At any time, after the date on which a Development Plan for an area comes into operation, and at least once in every ten years after that date, the Planning and Development Authority shall, after carrying out such fresh surveys, as may be considered necessary or directed by the Board and the government, prepare after consultation with the local authorities concerned, if any, and submit to the Board and the government, a Development plan for any alterations or additions considered necessary to the Development plan in operation.

(2) The provisions of section 34 to 38 (both inclusive) shall, as far as may be, apply to a development plan submitted under sub-section (1)

(3) At any time after the date on which the Development Plan for an area comes into operation, the Planning and Development Authority, may with the prior approval of the government, make such minor changes in such Development Plan as may be necessary for correcting typographical or cartographical errors and omissions or details of proposals not fully indicated in the Plan or changes arising out of the implementation of the proposals in the Development plan.

Provided that all such changes are in the public interest are notified to the public.