PANJIM: North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA) is toying with the idea of announcing Aguada plateau and areas around it as No Development Zone sealing it from any further exploitation. The move follows protests from locals who opposed the helicopter service at the plateau that later saw the government suspending the joyride till further orders.
NGPDA Chairman and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo inspected the Aguada plateau on Sunday along with several citizens who were in the forefront to oppose helicopter tourism here.
“We will prepare a proper land use plan mapping existing greenery and other aspects on this plateau and areas around it. It will be included in the Outline Development Plan of Candolim and Calangute,” Lobo said.
The entire area overlooking the Arabian Sea is susceptible to development. The land use plan for this area has shown few patches in this area as settlement zone posing danger to the entire plateau, he said.
NGPDA has now decided to remove these settlement zones and make the entire area as orchard so that there is no more construction activity and it is preserved for posterity.
Aguada plateau has a fort, a Church, a bungalow of a Mumbai-based businessman and the Central jail, which currently remains unused after commissioning of Colvale Correctional Home.
Lobo said that the existing bungalow had got clearance from Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority for expansion of his structure but same has been stalled by NGPDA. He also stated about writing to the State government expressing his opposition to privatize the Aguada jail. The former jail can be turned into a museum, the MLA said.
