Team Herald
PANJIM: The Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA) on Thursday issued a show cause notice to the controversial proposed mega project of Bhutani Infra at Sancoale following growing protests particularly the villagers of Sancoale, regarding the project.
The show cause notice was issued to the M/s Parmesh Constructions Company Limited alias Bhutani Infra. They have been asked to reply to the show cause notice within seven days from the receipt of the notice as to why action for revocation of the development permission issued on February 2, 2024 be not initiated, failing which necessary action as deemed fit, will be taken.
This was dine after the The TCP Department has instructed the MPDA to conduct a thorough verification of all details related to the representations concerning the Bhutani Project. Appropriate action will be taken following the inquiry, which may include the revocation of permissions granted to the project.
The show cause notice was issued following allegations that the area was identified as private forest by Araujo Committee and the same was illegally converted into C1.
The local MLA Anton Vas had also complained that there was massive tree felling in the said property and had feared that the Cortalim constituency would face severe water, electricity and sewage problems if the proposed construction of multi family dwelling, villas type A, B and swimming pools in the property bearing survey No 257/1 were allowed.
Villager Peter D’Souza had complained that the property was zoned as C1 when it was not the municipal area and had demanded immediate suspension of development permission. The project was proposed on six-metre wide road when C1 property needs 10- metre wide road. Also environment and forest NOC was not submitted.
Two women Socorin Marques and Piedade D’Mello had complained that M/s Parmesh Constructions Company Limited alias Bhutani Infra had allegedly grabbed and encroached upon their property forcefully and had built a wall around it inspite of strong opposition by them.
The MPDA in its show cause notice has also stated that from the office records the width of the access as shown to the property was not in compliance with the Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulations 2010 to permit the development as proposed. Also the project proponent had failed to obtain prior permission of the Chief Town Planner (Land use) for land having gradient more than 1:10 as defined in the TCP Act.
Show cause issued in response to the concerns of Sancoale's people: Rane
TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane, said he directed issuance of show cause notice to Bhutani Infra following concerns raised by Goans, particularly the people of Sancoale, regarding the project' according to a press note released by the dept
Minister Rane stated, “The permissions for this project were granted before my tenure as TCP Minister. However, in response to the concerns and agitation expressed by the people of Sancoale and Goa, I instructed the Member Secretary to issue the show-cause notice based on the representations we have received.”
Additionally, the Minister stated that no hill-cutting permissions have been granted to Bhutani Infra by the TCP Department to date.