TCP halts disputed Carambolim project after villagers' protest

PANAJI
The Department of Town and Country Planning (TCP) on Tuesday issued a show-cause notice cum stop-work order against a proposed residential-cum-commercial construction project at Carambolim village, following complaints from local villagers alleging violations of planning norms.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has also directed TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane to order an inquiry into the violations and fix responsibility. The TCP department had granted technical clearance on January 14, 2025, for the construction of a residential and commercial building, swimming pool and compound wall at Survey No. 25/2 of Carambolim.
“A show cause notice and stop work order has been issued in respect of the proposed project. All the construction activities at the site have been ordered to be stopped with immediate effect until further orders,” TCP Minister said, adding that the matter will be placed before the Board and subsequently the decision will be taken after due discussion and in consultation with the Chief Minister.
Rane said that the development in Goa will proceed strictly as per law and any deviation from the norms will invite decisive action.
Meanwhile, Sawant said that an inquiry will be conducted into the lapses and the officers accountable for the violations would be identified.
The decisions came following a sit-in protest by villagers from Carambolim at the TCP office in Panaji on Monday till late at night against the project in their village. The protest was withdrawn following an assurance from the Chief Minister to issue a stop-work order.
According to the TCP department, a complaint was received on December 4, 2025, from residents of Carambolim claiming that the technical clearance was granted without due process of law. Acting on the representation, the department conducted a joint site inspection on December 5, 2025, in the presence of the complainants, villagers, local panchayat representatives, project proponents’ representatives and the MLA Viresh Borkar.
During the inspection, villagers pointed out that the distance between the proposed building and the existing crematorium platform did not appear to conform to prescribed rules. They also alleged that the mandatory right of way for access roads”15 metres on the southern side and 10 metres on the western side of the property”was not available on the ground as required.
In view of the findings, the TCP Department has directed the project proponents to show cause within seven working days as to why the technical clearance granted for the project should not be revoked. The department has also ordered an immediate halt to any construction activity at the site until further orders.