As mega real estate projects continue to face stiff resistance from residents at Gram Sabhas across Goa, several NGOs are reportedly challenging the oft-repeated claim by panchayats that they are powerless to stop these mega projects. Despite permission issued by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department or Planning and Development Authorities (PDAs), NGOs and activists argue that panchayats do have the authority and responsibility to stop mega projects which are not in the interest of their respective village. It is argued that while TCP permissions are granted on technical grounds, it is the responsibility of the panchayat, which is the licensing authority, to conduct thorough on-site verification and ensure that the project complies with all the norms.
Panchayats reportedly have the power to stop projects if any discrepancies or violations are observed. Be that as it may, it is pertinent to note that, in a first of its kind in Goa, Chicalim panchayat left other panchayats behind in the field of carrying capacity studies for their respective villages, as the village panchayat becomes the first panchayat in Goa to launch a ‘Carrying Capacity Study Committee’. A committee consisting of all elected members and one nominated member of each ward has reportedly been formed to deliberate, plan, execute and measure the carrying capacity of the entire area falling under Chicalim panchayat.
Earlier, the Gram Sabha had passed a resolution to carry out a detailed carrying capacity study of the entire village. It is learnt that the village panchayat of Chicalim is under tremendous pressure for developmental projects, which was causing conflicts. Carrying capacity studies will reportedly go a long way in conducting proper planning for the village in terms of infrastructure needs, population load, pollution load, electricity capacity needed, water needs, garbage management, sewage management needs, internal roads infrastructure, etc. Such ‘Carrying Capacity Study Committees’ need to be formed in each and every village in the state in order to counter the onslaught of mega projects in the villages.
