SGPDA COMES UNDER THE SCANNER AGAIN

MARGAO
Just a little over two years and half since the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) had changed land zones in the commercial capital, the planning body has come under the scanner again.

Notwithstanding the change in zones notified in the Outline Development Plan (ODP) 2028 for Margao barely two and half years ago in 2019, the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) is in receipt of a whopping 163 applications from land owners. A glance at the applications only goes to show that majority of the applications have been filed with the SGPDA for change in land zones.

In fact, officials pointed out that overwhelming majority of the applications have been filed for change in land zones, either from orchard to settlement, from settlement to C2 zone and from C2 to C1 zone.

A couple of applications have sought for change in zones for special residential zones, while another application has called for change of part conservation zone.

That’s not all. The SGPDA has also received applications, objecting to the 10-metre and six-metre wide roads proposed by the PDA in the property of land owners.

That there’s no dearth of applications for change in zones in the city has only raised eyebrows over the purpose behind re-opening the ODP 2028 within two years and half before the expiry of the 10-year horizon period. The draft-ODP 2032, once approved by the Town and Country Planning Board will remain in force for a period of 10 years till 2032.

It could not be ascertained whether the draft-2032 has sought to rectify the glaring anomalies and mistakes that were alleged to have cropped up in the ODP 2028. For, when the Congress-turned-BJP MLA Wilfred D’Sa had assumed charge of the reconstituted SGPDA in 2019, the PDA had gone to the public stating that the ODP will be opened again to rectify the anomalies.

Amongst the host of suggestions and objections received by the Planning body to the draft-ODP 2032, includes the objection to the change in zone of the Sonsodo land, which was acquired for kabrastan by the Margao Municipal Council a decade ago.

Though the Margao Municipal Council has maintained a silence on the issue, Muslim bodies, besides individuals have lodged objections to the change in zone of Sonsodo acquired land admeasuring 30,000 sq metres for kabrastan to low-cost housing. The ODP 2028 had changed the zone of the Sonsodo land from burial grounds to low-cost housing and to set up a sub-station.

The PDA has also received objections from the residents of Sirvodem, opposing the proposed burial grounds in their locality. The SGPDA has also received objections from the farmers of Aquem-Baixo opposing the change of zone of the agricultural fields opposite the Margao railway station.

Member Secretary Ranjit Borkar informed that PDA officials will conduct site inspections before calling the parties, who have filed the suggestions and objections, for a hearing. The sub-committee technical committee constituted by the PDA will scrutinise the objections and suggestions and a report will be placed before the Authority for a decision before the ODP is sent to the government for approval,” Borkar informed.

Margao & Ponda ODP 2032: PDA’s sub-panel to scrutinise applications

MARGAO: The South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGDPA) on Wednesday set in motion the process to scrutinise the suggestions and objections to the draft-Outline Development Plan (ODP) 2032 for Margao and Ponda planning areas.

At the meeting of the SGPDA chaired by PDA Chairperson, MLA Wilfred D’Sa, the PDA constituted the four-member panel comprising of William Aquair, Vishwanath Dalvi, Subodh Govekar and Remy Fernandes.

The PDA chairperson said the sub-committee will kick-start the work of processing and scrutinising the suggestions and objections. He said the applicants will also be called for hearing on their objections and suggestions lodged before the Planning body.