the goan I network
MARGAO
Having accorded the stamp of approval for the Land Use map, the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) on Tuesday set in motion the process to put in place a new Outline Development Plan (ODP) for Margao and Ponda planning areas.
The first meeting in this respect took place in the SGPDA on Tuesday with members and technical officials of the Margao and Ponda municipal councils. The meeting took into account the planning requirements in the two municipal areas and the role the civic bodies is expected to play in the revised ODP for Margao and Ponda planning areas.
SGPDA Member Secretary Ashok Kumar told The Goan after the meeting that the process to put in place a new ODP for Margao and Ponda planning areas was set in motion with the meeting with the representatives of the two municipal areas. “Today’s meeting is the first step in revising the ODP for the two planning areas of Margao and Ponda. The meeting was elected by the elected representatives of the two councils as well as by the technical officials,” he said.
To a query, Ashok Kumar said the Authority will compile a report and forward the same to the Town and Country Planning Board for notification of a draft ODP and to invite suggestions and objections from members of the public. “It’s only when the draft ODP is notified by the TCP Board that the public will come into play to file their suggestions and objections,” he said.
To another query, the SGPDA member secretary pointed out that the PDA Authority has already adopted the Land Use map for the planning areas of both Margao and Ponda after taking cognizance of the suggestions and objections raised by the people. The revision of the ODP for Margao and Ponda planning areas assumes significance since the process comes around two years after the SGPDA was forced to scrap a similar exercise in late 2016 after sustained agitations and protests by the people.
The controversial ODP had even reached the door steps of the High Court, which had given a stay, barring the SGPDA from rushing with the ODP, as it was contended that the local self government bodies, including the local municipal councils were not taken on board while preparing the ODP in violation of the provisions of the TCP Act.
