PANJIM: Goa Bachao
Abhiyan (GBA) challenging the discriminatory Outline Development Plan (ODP) for
Panaji 2021 has filed an appeal with the District Court in the interest of
public with an attempt to uphold true participatory systems of planning.
Addressing
the media, Convener GBA, Sabina Martins said “We have assisted in filing the
appeal with the District Court through the Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG),
who has the same interest in protecting Goan heritage”
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“The hurried
manner in which the ODP was notified just before election code of conduct
reflects a brazen attempt to favor a few as the cost of public, disregard for
methods and systems unfortunately has become a habit with the government as far
as land use is concerned, something with drastic far reaching consequences that
the general public will realize only too late” said Martins
Martins
further said that none of the major stakeholders, conservation committees nor
safety and fire departments had been taken into consideration while going ahead
with ODP plan even for that matter Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) had not
agreed.
“Our group
is doing this to protect interests of public and we are just asking for a stay
on this plan, as the plan has already been notified and the decision to
implement can be taken anytime even in the code of conduct period” she said
Further
stating the government has defied numerous key issues which the government
itself is answerable to the public.
“There is
absence of vision and studies and in total contradiction of policies adopted
for the ODP 2011, random insertion of high density zones on singular plots as
small as 500 sqm with no studies on congestion and carrying capacities of
infrastructure, arbitory reduction of recreational zones and heritage
precincts” she said
Further
informing the committee passed the entire plan within 3 days of its last day of
receipt of public objections and suggestions, which is a very short time for
feedback.
