Team Herald
PANJIM: A whopping 2000 suggestions, of which 50 per cent are for zonal change, have been received for the draft Outline Development Plan (ODP) of Calangute-Candolim, with authorities deciding to grant personal hearing to the applicants.
In November 2017, the High Court of Bombay at Goa had stayed the letter issued by Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department putting in operation the draft ODP Calangute-Candolim 2025. Accordingly, the government on February 5, 2018 directed TCP to re-notify the ODP under Section 35 of TCP Act. As such, the plan was kept open for suggestions and objections for 60 days.
Speaking to Herald, North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA) chairman Michael Lobo said they have received over 2000 applications, with nearly 1000 seeking zonal changes.
“Nearly 50 per cent of the applications have asked for change in zone from orchard to settlement or agriculture to settlement. There are also applications for increase in Floor Area Ratio (FAR),” he said.
Lobo said the process to examine each and every application is in process. “Those who have asked for zonal change would be granted personal hearing,” he said.
“The entire process will take two months. The final plan will be ready in two and half months and would be submitted to the government for approval,” the Calangute MLA added.
Asked about the opposition to the PDAs, Lobo preferred not to get into it. “Our purpose is to regularise all those structures, built in its own property.”
, by granting them additional FAR. We want to ensure that maximum benefit goes to the locals,” he stated.
Anti-PDA protestors are currently on hunger strike demanding scrapping of PDAs.
