PANJIM: A whopping eight lakh square metres of comunidade land, including agricultural and orchard land at Calangute-Candolim, will be used for construction of public utilities as proposed under the draft Outline Development Plan (ODP) for the coastal areas. The draft plan has been kept open for fresh public inputs for a period of 60-days.
The North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA), which has drafted the plan, also proposes to regularise structures built by owners of the property, by granting them additional Floor Area Ratio (FAR).
NGPDA chairman Michael Lobo on Monday met the Sarpanch, panch members and comunidade of Calangute-Candolim, directing them to display the draft ODP in their respective panchayats.
Addressing media persons, Lobo said the land constraint has forced NGPDA to seek help from the comunidade of both areas. “Nearly eight lakh sq mtrs of comunidade land in Calangute- Candolim will be used for construction of public utilities,” he said.
Public projects like garbage plant, animal shelter, alcohol and drug rehabilitation centre, multi-level parking, playground, market complex, health centre, new 25 meter road, etc, have proposed under the draft plan.
“The final plan will be ready in the next three months. It will be placed before the Town and Country Planning board for approval,” he said.
Lobo said that NGPDA will inspect the sites and grant personal hearings before incorporating suggestions and objections from the public. “We will take everyone into confidence. This plan is people oriented. It is a micro plan. It is for the people of Calangute-Candolim,” he said.
In November, 2017, the High Court of Bombay at Goa had stayed the letter issued by TCP putting in operation the draft ODP for Calangute-Candolim 2025. Following the order, the TCP Board on November 23 last year, decided to send the plan back to NGPDA for re-drafting. The government on February 5 directed TCP to re-notify the ODP.
“The plan also focuses on regularising structures, built in owned property, but in violation of FAR. We will regularise it by granting additional FAR. The move is basically to grant protection to the locals, who are self employed in the form of tourist business,” the Calangute MLA said.
NGPDA said that those who have submitted objections from November 24, 2016 to January 22, 2017 need not submit their objections again and such objections submitted earlier will be considered. The draft ODP copies for scrutiny will be available in the office of NGPDA and concerned village panchayats.
