PANAJI
Still in the process of the review and correction of the Outline Development Plans (ODPs) it suspended of three planning areas, the Town & Country Planning Department has already moved into the preparatory mode for drawing up future ODPs.
The department has sought bids for empanelling consultants and agencies to carry out ground work to prepare GIS-based ODPs and other planning base maps.
The notice issued by the Chief Town Planner (Administration) on Thursday, has invited Expression of Interest (EoI) for empanelment of consultant/special functions agency to prepare of GIS-based ODPs and related Urban and Regional Planning Work in Goa.
The work includes survey work, preparation of GIS based maps, etc.
Preparation of the State's Regional Plans and ODPs has for decades spewn controversy with civil society and political parties accusing governments of playing into the hands of vested interests and the real estate lobby.
A massive statewide agitation under the banner of Goa Bachao Abhiyan had in 2005-06 forced the then government to scrap and denotify the Regional Plan and redraw the crucial planning base map of the State by roping in experts like top architect, the late Charles Correa and former Chief Town Planner, Delhi, Edgar Ribeiro.
More recently, TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane, had suspended the notified ODPs of Calangute-Candolim, Arpora-Nagoa-Parra and Vasco alleging widespread illegalities in the documents.
The review and re-finalisation of these three ODPs is currently in progress.
