Herald: Your immediate reaction to the new Panjim ODP.
Sabina Martins: ODP’s are treated as if the rules of environment do not apply, still occupying a space of privilege outside the Regional Plan. The NGPDA sub-committees have clearly granted favours on individual requests at the cost of the larger society. It will have immediate direct impact on the quality of life.
Herald: According to you what are the glaring errors in the new ODP?
Martins: Errors abound regarding access roads with no consistency for application of new zones. Accompanying regulations are not completely thought out, introduction of super-buildings called Special Settlement (SPS) and Special Commercial (SPC ) of 200 and 300 FAR respectively, reduce the green space, etc. While such regulations bring character to city blocks with a host of other mandatory infrastructural requirements, this is definitely not done on arbitrary plots in the middle of other zones. SPC at 300FAR means 12 storeys with stilts. For comparison, Junta House is five storeys.
Herald: The government claims that the move is basically to allow re development of old residential buildings which are in dilapidated conditions. What you have to say?
Martins: Ok I agree with this argument. But what is not evident in this overreach is that new spaces will come at a higher cost of maintenance, with reduced safety and privacy as new regulations mix commercial with settlement. There is no clarity on this. This will also increase the infrastructure burden and there is no study done on it.
Herald: So, what does GBA intend to do now?
Martins: We are demanding that this ODP needs to be withdrawn and proper planning needs to be initiated that tie in with the Regional Plan 2021. One Goa, One Plan. We will call upon the government to rethink on the plan.
