MAPUSA
The State government is considering conducting a carrying capacity study of rural areas in Goa to regulate mega construction projects and ensure sustainable development, Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho informed the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
Responding to concerns raised by Congress MLA Carlos Ferreira during the Question Hour, Godinho said he would move a proposal for such a study and involve multiple departments in assessing the capacity of each village panchayat.
“We need to conduct a comprehensive study on the carrying capacity of villages. Since it involves multiple departments, we will develop a suitable mechanism. We are equally concerned,” Godinho said.
Ferreira raised alarm over unchecked urbanisation in villages, stating that large-scale residential projects were altering the demographic and physical character of rural Goa. “Urbanisation is changing our village identity. Multi-dwelling projects are being approved despite water and power shortages. Panchayats should be empowered to reject such projects if locals oppose them,” he argued.
Echoing similar sentiments, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai pointed out that many panchayats lacked basic infrastructure, including facilities for treating wet waste or managing sanitary waste. He added that while panchayats are sidelined, Town and Country Planning (TCP) authorities continue to issue construction licences based on plans, without assessing the area’s carrying capacity.
“The demand for carrying capacity studies has come from gram sabhas across the State. There is a huge influx in Goa, and we must evaluate the pressure on our infrastructure,” Sardesai said.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas questioned the government’s commitment to grassroots democracy, noting that gram sabha resolutions opposing projects are often overturned by higher authorities. “When panchayats and gram sabhas pass resolutions against projects, the BDO or Director of Panchayats ignores them. Does the government even listen to people’s voices?” he asked.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao pushed the government to rope in expert agencies to conduct the carrying capacity assessment. “Will you bring in an expert body to do this exercise for Goa’s villages?” Alemao asked.
Admitting that panchayats currently have limited authority in such matters, Godinho said there was a need to evolve guidelines based on factors like population density, agricultural land (khazan) and local geography. He added that often it is difficult to distinguish between urban and rural areas due to the growing phenomenon of “ru-urban” development in the State.
The discussion highlighted a growing concern in the House over unregulated development and the need for stronger grassroots powers and data-driven planning.
