Team Herald
PANJIM: With an eye on holistic planning, balancing the social, economic, and environmental considerations of urban development, the South Goa Planning and Development Authority on Thursday approved the Outline Development Plan 2028 For Margao and Fatorda Planning Areas.
The Plans were approved at the SGPDA meeting held today. The ODPS focuses on a six-point vision of City Identity, Economy, Housing, Transport, Education and Recreation & Public spaces
SGPDA says the ODP outlines the planning for building up a city which can sustain a population of more than approximately 2 lakh people considering a growth rate of an average 5% per annum and starting point of census 2011 of population of 87,650.
“The vision map for the next 10 years for Fatorda & Margao is built on the platform of inclusive, liveable, economically vibrant, and green home for Fatordekars and Madgaonkars,” says SGPDA.
Most importantly, it adds, the plan ensures that sufficient land is available for a whole range of land uses, and especially for critical needs such as housing, schools, and job centers.
The ODP speaks about affordable housing for locals, educational and IT hub, community farming projects amongst others. What is more important to note is that the Hospicio Hospital, Dambab Talli and St. Joaquim Chapel, Borda have been marked under Heritage conservation area to preserve the architectural character of the age-old structures.
SGPDA also says the focus of planning on a healthy and liveable environment for the residents was priority along with catering to all age groups where we can get jobs closer to homes and by developing spaces which activate communities.
1. CITY IDENTITY
Fatorda has always displayed rich cultural and architectural heritage over the past decades. Whereas, Margao is known as the commercial capital of Goa which has one of the most important trading business in the whole of Goa. Together Fatorda and Margao boast to be the second capital of Goa and the headquarters of South-Goa.
It was important to protect and translate this identity into the Outer Development Plan 2028 by various proposals which help in keeping and extending further the Identity of Fatorda and Margao.
a) One of the most important proposals which strengthens the identity of our city is The Goa Tinto Project: The Goa Tinto Project aims at preserving rich cultural and architectural heritage of Fatorda. The Heritage conservation area boundary has been extended not only to the Tinto area shops but adjoining structures as well. The road passing through the Tinto area has been reduced from 20m to 10m for avoiding any future expansions and destruction of our old Heritage structures.
A proposal for restoring these structures along with signages, road and other facilities has already been undertaken under Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation. Furthermore, the Old Camara Municipal building which was earlier marked as commercial zone has been changed to Institutional for public use and has been marked as ‘Camara’ to preserve more than 100 years of history relating to the structure.
b) Entrance Gateway to the Heritage city of Fatorda and commercial capital of Margao: Every city has various elements which collectively define the image of the city. One such element is the Landmark. The Entrance gateway project marks the entry to the city of Fatorda and Margao and makes a person know that she/he is entering a Heritage town of Goa. The Landmark further will help in rejuvenation of the city by promoting tourism and helping the local economy.
c) Dambab Talli: The Talli made out of hand carved exposed laterite stone has been marked under Heritage conservation area so as to prevent any further destruction of the monumental lake and to avoid any future development which could harm the heritage pond.
d) St. Joaquim Chapel, Borda: Similarly, the St. Joaquim Chapel is also marked under Heritage Conservation area to protect the architectural history of the structure and avoid any facelifts which could harm the rich architectural value of the chapel.
e) Hospicio Hospital: The Hospicio Hospital too has been marked under Heritage conservation area to preserve the architectural character of the age-old structure.
2. ECONOMY
The basic aim was to create a plethora of job opportunities for our youth by earmarking various zones for projects which effectively help in providing local employment.
An approach that maintains the vibrancy of commercial and business-friendly environment and is attractive to both residents and investors. New growth areas marked will facilitate various business options which in turn will create more retail, entertainment, and employment opportunities closer to homes.
a) The Intrastate & Interstate Bus Terminus: The South Goa Bus Terminus has been marked as a Special Commercial transport zone. The Bus Terminus project could be assisted with commercial activities related to trading and other retail opportunities which will create enough job opportunities for locals as well as bring in Tourism through efficient Public Transport system as a part of the Transportation project.
b) GSUDA project behind Wholesale Fish market: This project will house 2 important projects, namely: The Community farming project & the IT Hub Community Farming Hub: For the first time, a special area of around 54,000 sqms (approx. 13.5 acres) which was earlier marked as Transport zone to house truck terminus, has been marked for a Community Farming Hub. This project, which is one of its kind will take local farmers as its partners and will house various features which will involve growing and selling of locally grown agro products within the earmarked zone. The project will comprise of Green houses for vegetables, Hydroponics center which will initiate growth of vegetables without soil, Space of locally grown vegetables like Tambdi bhaji (Red amaranth) etc.
Along with other modern technologies like Aquaponics, Aeroponics among others. Tech Hub: The basic need for a Tech hub has been there for more than a decade and this is an excellent opportunity for getting back the engineers of our soil back to their homes. Technology hubs can bring investment, jobs and talent to our region.
c) SGPDA Exhibition Ground: A permanent area is marked for exhibitions adjoining the SGPDA parking lot, which will get various global retail related items within the reach of locals.
d) Margao Municipality plot at Malbhat: As per the request from Municipality the plot at Malbhat has been marked as commercial Multi Level Parking zone. This will get more retail opportunities within the city limits.
e) Farmer’s market near Presentation Convent: A farmer’s market has been proposed near the new Presentation convent which is based upon the tradition Goan weekly markets essentially selling locally grown and made produce.
3. HOUSING
As our population grows so should the availability of houses. As our new city grows and older ones mature, new spaces should be provided to house the ever-growing population. Keeping this in mind, Two new proposals have been added to the Outline Development Plan namely, Rehabilitation of shanties situated behind Old Electricity department and the other one near Sonsoddo which will house low cost housing for Fatordekars.
4. TRANSPORT
To continue to support the needs of the populace as well as to accommodate future growth, new roads have been proposed along with a Major Transport Terminus hub,
a) The Intrastate & Interstate Bus Terminus: The South Goa Bus Terminus has been marked as a Special Commercial transport zone. The Bus Terminus project could be assisted with commercial activities related to trading and other retail opportunities which will create enough job opportunities for locals as well as bring in Tourism through efficient Public Transport system as a part of the Transportation project.
5. EDUCATION
Education has always been the backbone of every city. Without education there is no hope for future of a city. Providing quality education facilities is a prime objective.
a) Central School (ICSC board): An area near Railway station has been marked as an institutional zone to house an ICSC board School which will expose our local children to a global level of education.
b) Fatorda People’s School: A new school for primary, Secondary and higher education with state-of-the-art facilities like synthetic turf for ground etc.
c) Don Bosco Technical Institute: As per request by Don Bosco Institute, special additional buildable area has been granted so as to promote better and bigger technical education facilities within Fatorda.
d) Mathagramasth Hindu Sabha: The Institute has been granted additional buildable area so as to construct a state-of-the-art Education facility for the locals of Margao and Fatorda.
e) Multipurpose School: Multipurpose school has also been grated additional buildable area to house better facilities for technical and higher secondary branches.
6. RECREATIONAL & PUBLIC SPACES
A wide range of recreational spaces and activities to meet the needs of an active populace has been proposed. Nature areas, parks and gardens have been proposed which can act as pride of Fatordekars and Madgaonkars. The zoning will help rejuvenate the green pockets of the city and keep them close to nature.
a) Fatorda Town hall: A town hall has been proposed with a commercial zone attached to house retail facilities along with recreational facilities which can be a one stop point for Fatordekars to spend their time. A major town hall which can serve the locals with enough parking to house cars and other transport vehicles attending the functions and events. A town hall has been an ever-pending need of the locals for more than 2 decades, especially one that can provide enough parking spaces.
b) Recreational Biodiversity Park: A recreational park which envelopes the biodiversity of the great lake of Fatorda has been proposed. The recreational biodiversity park will help promote Tourism and also help in preserving the natural habitat intact.
c) Tolsanzor: A Tolsanzor has been marked as a Medicated Natural spring for tourism related activities.
d) Saraswati Temple: A temple dedicated to the goddess of knowledge has been proposed in the New Housing board at Virabhat.
e) Land strip opposite Ravindra Bhavan side entrance: A strip which was marked as settlement zone but was non-buildable has been marked as recreational zone for housing park and garden related activities.
MISCELLANEOUS:
a) Land Loser Incentivization for Fatordekars: An incentive of commercial zone up to 50m adjoining the road has been granted for all the plot owners who have willingly given permission for road expansion for public benefit.
COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN:
The most important aim for us is to finish with the ODP so that we can start with the Comprehensive Development plan. If the ODP works on a macro level, the CDP works on the micro details of a city.
The active participation from the citizens is essential to complete the CDP. The CDP will be drafted by an International Urban Design firm who is well experienced with the city planning. A separate tender for consultation shall be taken for the same through GSIDC.
The CDP will most importantly focus on the street design and all the details involved like the services and utilities. Haphazard planning and poor coordination among various departments has left our city in total chaos and the CDP will be the first of its kind master planning exercise which will frame rules and regulations at micro level. These regulations which specifies all the details of the streets will have to be then followed by all government departments as well as private developers. We expect that details right from streetlighting, storm water drainage, services and utilities, Roadside fire hydrants etc. along with minute details of what material is to be used for the footpath shall be determined by the CDP.
The CDP shall broadly include: Complete road and street pattern and traffic circulation pattern for present and future requirements; Major road and street improvements; Amenities, services and utilities; control of architectural features, elevation and frontage of buildings and structures; Complete detailed public transportation layout.
SALIENT FEATURES of PONDA ODP
As far as Ponda planning area is concerned, South District hospital Ponda is marked as C-1 zone with increased FAR.
A 5-meter buffer zone for Nallah from Ponda bus stand to Panjim-Margao bypass and both the sides and road width is reduced from 20 mtrs to 15 mtrs under the plan.
ODP has proposed that the open space of jogging park for Municipality garden will be developed into children play area.
A biodiversity park is also proposed for the planning area.
