PANJIM: Over 1.68 lakh sq mtrs of land in Dhargal village of Pernem Taluka, which was in possession of Goa Housing Board (GHB), has bee included as part of the Mopa International Airport Planning Area. 

The planning area, which was notified in February 2018, already includes an area of 2,093 acres covering parts of Mopa, Varconda, Casarvanem, Chandel, Uguem and Amberem villages of Pernem taluka. 

In a notification issued on Thursday, Chief Town Planner Rajesh Naik pointed out that the Goa Housing Board, which is the owner and in possession of the land admeasuring an area of 1.68 lakh sq mtrs under survey No. 36/1 and 2, 37/1, 38/1, 39/1 and 40/1 of Dhargal village had requested the government to include the land in Mopa International Airport Planning Area. 

“The Town and Country Planning (TCP) Board has recommended to include the land in the planning area and the same has been approved by the government,” Naik said. 

The Chief Minister heads the Mopa International 

Airport Planning Area, which was put in place to fast track the work of the second international airport coming up at Mopa. 

The members include Secretaries Civil Aviation, Revenue, Town and Country Planning, Urban Development and Panchayat, Chief Town Planner, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Director of Health Services, Member Secretary of Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and Director of Fire and Emergency Services. Director of Civil Aviation is the secretary member.