Team Herald
PANJIM: The Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department’s proposal seeking to convert nearly 2 lakh sqmts of land in Pernem and Bardez talukas has swung the focus back on relentless development that threatens to overwhelm Goa’s natural resources and the delicate ecological balance that is the lifeblood of the State.
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Much of the land that is proposed to be converted falls within no development zones and slopes, apart from orchards, paddy fields and natural green cover, which will be converted to settlement for construction and commercial development like hotels.
In a recent interview to Herald TV, senior Architect Dean D’Cruz had pointed out: “Development is based on the infrastructure like water, road width, power, schools and more. Whenever we look at development the infrastructure should come first.” However, the TCP conversion proposal covers areas where water scarcity is a persistent problem. Mandrem, for example, has a 22 megalitres per day (MLD) requirement of water, while it is only supplied 12 MLD, according to a news report. The area faces water scarcity as soon as the monsoon rains stop in October.
Other areas that will be affected by the plan include Bicholim, which has been facing water shortage in the Bordem area since a month back. According to the Water Resources Ministry, Goa has a capacity of treating 672 MLD for potable water use, while the need for potable water has already shot past 850 MLD.
Power output of Goa is also far short of the demand. According to Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar, Goa faces a power shortage of 125 Megawatts, with a daily power requirement of 700 MW, which is projected to soon surpass 1200 MW.
This yawning gap between demand and the realities of supply can only be bridged if the villages are made the model of development, opined D’Cruz. Activist Dominic Noronha said, “Planning starts with the Village Development Plan that is prepared for the locality. The plan further contributes to the district plan. Every village knows the demand of settlement and to what extent land can be changed into settlement. Lakhs of square metres are being converted by corporates who have enough of money to do so. Planners in TCP are overruling the constitutional powers given to the local authorities.”
