PANJIM: Reacting to reports of the government appointing a consultant to plan the scheme for Mapusa, a prominent architect has questioned the legality of the plans.
Architect Tulio de Sousa, speaking to Herald, said he was present for the meeting. “They have not reflected any of the points raised at the meeting. We had raised queries whether adding another 20 lakh odd sq m of development will mitigate the existing infrastructure and other unplanned growth,” de Sousa said.
He said that Mapusa has still not worked a viable garbage management process. “A huge scrap dealer yard on the northern skirt and the highway, a massive slum near St Xavier’s are already problems in the town,” he said.
He said the town has an existing water and power issues and adding development will become a nightmare. Besides, he continued, they do not have data on population, traffic density, and other figures related to core planning issues.
“There is no EIA, as the area concerned is a green bowl, having its own ecosystem and the only open area constituting approximately one fourth of the city area. This also acts as a natural catchment as the entire overflow of the city drains into this area,” he said.
