Team Herald
MARGAO: Activists at a talk organised by Goyche Fuddle Pillge Khatir (GFPK) warned that Goa’s land use policies promote “anti-planning,” benefiting developers at the expense of local residents. Architect and urban planner Tahir Noronha criticized the indefinite extension of Outline Development Plans (ODPs), piecemeal zone changes, and weak planning oversight, arguing that these practices put the State’s land and ecosystem at risk.
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The rapid pace of land use changes has raised concerns about Goa’s fragile environment and sustainable growth. Noronha pointed out that the indefinite extension of ODPs without Comprehensive Development Plans (CDPs) enables unregulated and potentially harmful development. “This is a recipe for disaster,” he warned. “We must question the lack of political will for planned development.”
Addressing misconceptions, Noronha clarified that planning areas aren’t limited to cities—any rapidly growing area can be designated for detailed planning under a CDP. However, citing the Margao ODP, he argued that current policies convert slopes and fields into commercial areas, prioritising real estate interests over environmental sustainability. He labelled this practice as fundamentally “anti-planning.”
A key issue raised was the conversion of protected lands—including orchards, paddy fields, steep slopes, and land within the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)—into settlement zones under Sections 39A and 17/2.
“A large amount of land has been converted through these provisions, without assessing their impact on local infrastructure and community resources,” Noronha asserted.
The speakers advocated for a bottom-up planning approach, where Gram Sabhas would guide local development decisions. The state government, in turn, would designate ‘touch-me-not’ zones based on scientific and ecological considerations, ensuring a balance between development and environmental
sustainability.
‘P’yats can override TCP clearances’
The discussion also highlighted local governance’s crucial role in land use planning. Noronha emphasised that under the 73rd Amendment, Gram Panchayats have the final authority over land improvement and construction, despite widespread misinformation suggesting otherwise. He clarified that Town and Country Planning (TCP) clearances are only NOCs, not permissions, and can be overridden by Panchayats. He pointed to Kerala’s model, where Zilla Panchayats play a key role in land use planning, and suggested that Goa adopt a similar decentralized approach
