MARGAO
After the expose by The Goan how green cover is being systematically destroyed along the heritage area atop the Monte Hill, Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai descended on the hillock on Friday to reassure that the SGPDA will be directed to invoke rule 18 of the Building Regulations to ensure that the builder maintain the green cover in the orchard zone.
The TCP Minister assured that the new ODP for Margao will take care of the requirement of new zones, including green zones.
>Without going into the legal status of the compound wall built by the builder to secure the property, the TCP Minister further said that the builder will be directed to camouflage the compound wall with a particular species of creeper.
Accompanied by Margao Municipal Council Vice-Chairperson Tito Cardozo, ward councillor Glen Andrade and others, Sardesai found to his surprise that the green cover inside the property has virtually turned red, even as he raised apprehensions that the entire green cover from the Chapel to the TB hospital may disappear if the trend is not nipped in the bud.
"When an attempt was made to fill up the land in question in March last, we had opposed the move tooth and nail because we are concerned that the green cover needs to be protected for posterity," he told the media after inspecting the land in question.
When asked how the SGPDA did not impose a condition on the builder to first restore the green cover before constructing the wall, the minister said, "I do not know whether any such condition could have been put by the SGPDA. But, I have now told the SGPDA to invoke rule 18 of the Building Regulations in this particular case," adding that the SGPDA's notice will go to the builder early next week.
A group of citizens and environment lovers, who assembled atop Monte Hill in anticipation of the TCP minister's visit, made a fervent plea to save the green cover, including the tree species from destruction. They also complained to the TCP minister how orchard land has already been converted into S2 settlement zone, inquiring whether the same can be reverted back into orchard zone. While the TCP minister said it may not be possible to revert the zones already converted, he assured to protect the green cover along the Monte Hill Chapel-TB hospital road.
When the media brought to his notice how builders have carried out constructions by levelling the ground, the minister said, "the builder was doing this in the particular case and we have opposed. Now we are in the government. The
basic concept is to retain greenery and the affected parties can be compensated via the TDR policy mooted by the government."
Ward councillor Glen Andrade said he would move the Margao Municipality to inspect the compound wall, whether the wall has been constructed as per the specifications. "I will move for the demolition of the wall if it has come under the road widening area and in violation of the height condition," Glen said.
Accompanied by Margao Municipal Council Vice-Chairperson Tito Cardozo, ward councillor Glen Andrade and others, Sardesai found to his surprise that the green cover inside the property has virtually turned red, even as he raised apprehensions that the entire green cover from the Chapel to the TB hospital may disappear if the trend is not nipped in the bud.
"When an attempt was made to fill up the land in question in March last, we had opposed the move tooth and nail because we are concerned that the green cover needs to be protected for posterity," he told the media after inspecting the land in question.
When asked how the SGPDA did not impose a condition on the builder to first restore the green cover before constructing the wall, the minister said, "I do not know whether any such condition could have been put by the SGPDA. But, I have now told the SGPDA to invoke rule 18 of the Building Regulations in this particular case," adding that the SGPDA's notice will go to the builder early next week.
A group of citizens and environment lovers, who assembled atop Monte Hill in anticipation of the TCP minister's visit, made a fervent plea to save the green cover, including the tree species from destruction. They also complained to the TCP minister how orchard land has already been converted into S2 settlement zone, inquiring whether the same can be reverted back into orchard zone. While the TCP minister said it may not be possible to revert the zones already converted, he assured to protect the green cover along the Monte Hill Chapel-TB hospital road.
When the media brought to his notice how builders have carried out constructions by levelling the ground, the minister said, "the builder was doing this in the particular case and we have opposed. Now we are in the government. The
basic concept is to retain greenery and the affected parties can be compensated via the TDR policy mooted by the government."
Ward councillor Glen Andrade said he would move the Margao Municipality to inspect the compound wall, whether the wall has been constructed as per the specifications. "I will move for the demolition of the wall if it has come under the road widening area and in violation of the height condition," Glen said.
MPT moves HC to declare WISL dry dock, MV Qing as wrecks
VASCOSpeaking to The Goan, MPT Chairman I Jeyakumar said three attempts by the high court to auction off the vessel had failed to find a vendor. "The MPT has now approached the high court with a proposal to declare the ship and floating dry dock as ‘wrecks'. We will dispose off the vessel and from the sales, we will deduct port dues and give further proceedings to the court and the court can further decide how they want to tackle further issues," said Jeyakumar.…
