MAPUSA
In a significant development, the North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA) has greenlit the draft town planning scheme for Downtown Mapusa (Phase I), while opting to halt the scheme for areas of Camarkhazan and Gaunsawada (Phase II).
The State government has granted its consent to the scheme, prompting the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department to publish the draft scheme for public scrutiny. The public has been invited to submit objections in writing within a two-month period.
The draft scheme will be made available for public viewing during office hours at various locations, including the office of Mapusa Municipal Council, village panchayats of Verla-Canca and Guirim, and the NGPDA office.
The NGPDA had initially earmarked certain areas in Mapusa for the implementation of the 'Town Planning Scheme' as part of the Outlined Development Plan-2021.
The State government had endorsed the scheme, tasking the NGPDA with preparing the Town Planning Scheme for Downtown Mapusa Phase I and Phase II (Camarkhazan and Gaunsawada).
The government had appointed M/s LKS India Pvt Ltd as a consultant to prepare the scheme.
In its 92nd meeting held in November 2023, the NGPDA decided to proceed with the preparation of the scheme for Downtown Phase I and discontinue the work for Camarkhazan and Gaunsawada in Phase II.
General Secretary of Tenants Association of Camarcasanacho Bundh, John Lobo expressed satisfaction with the decision, calling it "a victory" for their association.
He highlighted their efforts, including legal action and negotiations with NGPDA officials, which led to the removal of Phase II from the scheme, safeguarding their khazan fields, at least for the time being.
According to the town planning scheme, the government aimed to develop an area of approximately 11 lakh sq mtr in Downtown Mapusa in Phase I, and around seven lakh sq mtr in Camarkhazan and Gaunsawada in Phase II.
The two-phase town planning scheme was initially approved by the government in 2013 and officially launched on July 6, 2015, during the tenure of late Manohar Parrikar as defence minister and Laxmikant Parsekar as chief minister.
This decision marks a significant development in the urban planning landscape of Mapusa, reflecting both community concerns and government priorities.
