The Margao Municipal Council, alleging that the changes in the Outline Development Plan of Margao 2026 have been that of only zone changes, has now resolved to demand time to make additional changes into the plan. The MMC had special meeting on this issue of Tuesday. The issues of low lying lands and catchment areas in the MMC being painted into settlement rocked the meeting.
The MMC has earlier written a letter to the South Goa Planning & Development Authority (SGPDA) criticising them for not giving enough time to the MMC and hastening up in resolving changes which are detrimental to the development of the town. The MMC, on Tuesday, has resolved to write to the SGPDA demanding one more month for making changes to the ODP. The MMC has decided to take the matter into their own hands if the SGPDA doesn’t agree to their demand.
The Chairperson and the member of the PDA, Babita Angle, said: “If the plan is being passed in such haste then something is definitely fishy. This plan, if is observed closely, has been made only to convert land and has no planning for various projects like the shelters for poor, institutional lands, lands for shifting petrol pumps and others.”
Ward I councillor Clara Fernandes said: “Truck terminus is my major concern in my ward. The people had opposed the truck terminus and it was then cancelled. They had valid reasons to do so as it is evident that these projects have brought in drugs, prostitution, alcoholism and what not. But sadly the area is still marked as truck terminus in this ODP which is not right.”
The council resolved to write to the SGPDA asking to give a proper plan from all the authorities and agencies and the MMC has written to the SGPDA. The Chairperson also said that there is no connection of the Regional Plan and the Code of Conduct of Election as the planning is a non-political activity and is aimed at the long term development of the town.
Meanwhile Councillor Arthur D’Silva reminded the MMC of the letter sent to them by the SGPDA in December 2015 to file suggestions and objections and also the gazette notification of the State asking for the same two months back. “All the people and councillors were given time for suggesting changes and objections too. How many gave suggestions?” asked Arthur.
The MMC, in a resolution overriding the powers of SGPDA, has dared them not to give licences to any development projects in MMC Jurisdiction if the PDA fails to give time to them.
The BJP Councillor, Rupesh Mahatme, however, flatly objected to the resolution.
“The 12th schedule to the Constitution of lndia r/w Art. 243W of the Constitution of India Urban Planning including town planning, regulation of land use and construction of buildings, planning for economic and social development is the duty and responsibility of the Municipal bodies. Preposing changes to the outline development plan and publishing them without consultation is in violation of the constitutional provision contained in the 12th schedule r/w 243W of the constitution of India,” said MMC Chairperson Babita Angle.
Meanwhile the RTI Activist of Margao, Sriram Raiturkar, said “I pity these councillors as they don’t even know what is ODP. The MLAs have put them forward and they are vociferous in the meeting,” said Sriram.
“I asked the SGPDA in the beginning why didn’t they inform the MMC regarding the changes. The SGPDA said that they had already written to the MMC in December 2015 but they did not get any reply,” alleged Sririam.
Sriram alleged that the three MLAs are seeking favours for the builders and developers of the town.
“They are any way going to do the zone changes and then we will be left with no option other than approach the High Court and pray to stay the process,” warned Sriram Raiturkar.
The coming weeks of December are going to be a test for the MMC and its commitment to the words spoken at the meeting. Whether they will do what they have spoken in the coming days or it is only an election issue time to tell now.
