PANJIM: In a major move, the Department of Town and Country Planning (TCP) has proposed that all residential complexes with 40 flats or residential units should mandatorily set up sewage treatment plants (STPs) within their premises.
In a notification issued on Thursday, TCP has proposed draft regulations for further amendment to the Goa (regulation of land development and building construction) Act, 2010. The department has invited suggestion and objections to the draft amendments within the next 30 days.
The new regulations are aimed at bringing clarity to a few issues related to balconies, terraces, open space and other technical issues.
As per the proposal, besides the STPs, the department proposes 50 percent of residential space for uses, such as retail trade, banks, post offices, tailoring shops, laundry, and hair dressing saloons and other activities on certain conditions.
“Provided further that if more than one building is proposed, then all the proposed area for commercial use as above, may be located either in one building or more than one buildings, as desired by the owner,” the proposal states.
The department has stated that in case of group housing, commercial use may be allowed in one or more buildings on upper floors restricted to 50 percent of the proposed coverage, provided building abuts a public road.
Regarding balconies, TCP proposes that a balcony can be a floor projection beyond the external or internal wall with handrail or balustrade. Its opening may have a grill or sliding glass panel shutters, the amendment states.
