The Town and Country Planning (TCP) department in Goa has processed proposals involving 88,249 square meters of land under Section 39A. The state government has granted final approval for the conversion of 34,527 square meters, while the TCP board has recommended another 53,722 square meters for public scrutiny. Bardez continues to dominate land conversion activity, accounting for nearly 69% of the total area covered by the latest proposals and approvals.
Major Proposals in Bardez
The largest proposal pertains to 31,869 square meters in Tivim, Bardez, where cultivable land within an irrigation command area has been recommended for conversion to a settlement zone, subject to comments from the Water Resources Department (WRD). Another significant proposal involves 20,000 square meters in Nadora, Bardez, comprising orchard and natural cover land proposed for conversion to settlement use, pending inputs from the forest department and the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).
Final Approvals Granted
At the same time, the government has issued final orders approving six previously processed Section 39A applications covering a total of 34,527 square meters. Among the approvals are two adjoining plots in Arpora where a combined 8,619 square meters of natural cover land has been converted to settlement zone. In Arambol, 14,400 square meters comprising orchard land, no-development slope areas, and cultivable land has also been approved for conversion to settlement use. Other approvals include 4,000 square meters in Loutolim, 6,542 square meters in Ella, and 966 square meters in Nagorcem-Palolem.
Bardez Dominates Zone Changes
An analysis of the latest notifications shows that Bardez alone accounts for about 60,488 square meters of land, underscoring its position as the focal point of Section 39A-related zone changes. Large tracts of natural cover, orchard land, and cultivable land continue to feature prominently in applications seeking settlement status.
Other Regions
Outside Bardez, proposals are concentrated in Pernem, Salcete, and Tiswadi, with smaller applications emerging from Quepem, Sattari, and Canacona.
Statutory Clearances and Legal Challenges
The notifications state that all proposed alterations remain subject to statutory departmental clearances. The final government-approved modifications are also subject to the outcome of pending public interest litigations before the Bombay High Court at Goa, where the Section 39A process is under challenge.
